Chapter 36

They were as close as close could be, like a young couple in love. Sukuna had treasured his soon to be wife. He would carry her around on his shoulder, he would call to the people that she is his fiancé and they will be wed soon.

But the timing wasn't good at the moment. Kayda has been bedridden for the past week. Her body wasn't recovering despite the efforts Sukuna put into it. He has looked over jujutsus, medical herbs and anything in general in hopes of extending her life. Yet, there wasn't much he could do.

"I do not like this feeling, to lose a friend like this," he said one day at her bedside. "I have even go beyond the lessons of Ryujin and have started developing my own jujutsu." He confessed to her. "One such requires a lot of materials, but I believe I can bring someone back…"

He jumped as a hand came on to his. "You need to be careful." Warned Kayda. She didn't speak on Ryujin's behalf, this was her own concern from him! "Lord Sukuna… please, tread carefully. I worry for you the most. Because of you, my family has prospered and our numbers are greater than they have ever been in six generations. We have found a place to call home for the first time in a long time. But please, be careful with your power."

He was taken aback by her tone, he was careful. He has learned well and achieved various stages of enlightenment to better understand his abilities. He could heal any wound inflicted upon him and others; he hardly feels pain anymore except for this. But, why be careful?

A forced smile was given to her. "Very well then," he said with a defeated sigh. "I will do as you ask of me."

He stood to leave, but then felt something terribly off. Curse energy… a lot of it… was coming towards the village! "What the…" he muttered.

Rushing to the closest window, he saw the ominous cloud gathering. There had to be thousands of them.

The warning bells tolled, people began to move towards the castle and rushed in. "My Lord!" they said with worry.

"Go, everyone inside!" he ordered. As the people moved in, he and all capable sorcerers moved out. Those who he personally trained began to follow him to the front lines as the energy continued to build.

"What is this!?" demanded Ryoto. "How can so many have gathered?!"

He didn't know, but he wondered… was it Kayda? Do curses know what she contains? Are they out to get Ryujin? But at the same time, his power too has grown, is he attracting them?

"Let's worry about this another time, my lord, Orders" asked one of the villagers. He is a capable sorcerer himself, his words snapped him back to reality.

"The strongest of the curses are coming from the West of us, I will take them. Ryoto, take the east they are the second strongest. Divide our forces to take the North and south ends!" he called.

They mobilized quickly. Sukuna went West and cut off the legions before they stepped into the village's domain. With a mere lash of his arms, he tore them into bits, leaving nothing behind.

To the east, he saw fire, lots of fire and curses screaming aloud from the strike. The North, he could feel the numbers dwindle, south… were struggling. He didn't hesitate and went to join the others.

By the time he arrived, some of the villagers were killed. That alone set off his anger as he unleashed it to the hoard! He tore them all to shreds, but also he destroyed the forest as well within a 250 meter range. The villagers were stunned by his power, some were starting to fear it.

"My Lord, are you…"

"Tend to the wounded, bring home the fallen…" He was somber in the order, those who died were merely teenagers. Some just came of age.

He turned away as he went North. Ryoto assisted in destroying the remaining hoard, yet here too, they suffered casualties.

Sukuna couldn't accept it. "They were far stronger than the average sorcerer…" he muttered.

Ryoto had to talk some sense into him. "Not all will reach your level," he said gently. "Sukuna, it happens, such as life as a sorcerer. Our lives are put before those who cannot defend themselves…"

"What if we change that? Make everyone a sorcerer?" he asked.

"We would be playing God would we not?" Ryoto sighed aloud. "Even if everyone was capable, not everyone would be at the same level. They will still die if they cannot understand or control their curse energy. Losses will happen either way… At least this was very minimal."

"I cannot accept this," he said in a seething tone. "How can I?"

Ryoto was stunned to his outburst, but understood the frustration. "We work harder than, remember Sukuna. We are the protectors, we will train our people better!" he vowed.

But it still didn't sound good enough to him.

#

Months would pass as the attacks grew. Oddly enough, he would be joined by other jujutsu sorcerers. They offered to assist in dealing with these attacks if permitted to stay. He accepted of course, since he lost too many to these curse attacks, he refuses to allow any more to fall!

As well, with the increased population, the castle was no longer a safe place for them to be. It was Ryoto who suggested the mountain.

"Chusi is able to make a permanent domain." He explained to him. "When she has set one up, it cannot be undone. However, she won't be able to use curse energy for a while after, depending on the area. Luckily, she hasn't used this ability in years so she has quite the reserve within her…"

"How are we going to use the mountain?" Sukuna asked.

Ryoto smirked. "Come with me, I'll show you, she's been working a little bit on this, just enough to get started."

They trekked up the mountain, but paused at a cave. There was nothing to take notice of, until Chusi came out of the wall! "Oh… hi…" she said meekly.

"Chusi, what are you up to?" Sukuna asked.

She smiled and waved him forward. She grabbed his arm and that of Ryoto before bringing them through the wall. There was a tunnel that led into the mountain but then she stopped suddenly. "This is as far as I have gotten, but I think I am a good mile in. With what I have I can make a domain within the mountain, but it will feel as if it is the outside world. This will protect the people if things get too intense, as well, I have made a barrier which will only allow certain people in." she explained.

"What if I put my jujutsu towards this too? Will that help you?" he asked.

She nodded. "Greatly,"

"Very well then."

His dominate arms went on her shoulders, there, he focused and began to channel his curse energy into her. She gasped as it came into her body, but then, she regained her focus and began to cast. "Ultimate technique… Hidden valley…" she whispered.

The flash was blinding!

No one could see at first, but then, as it faded away, Sukuna peered and froze to what was before him.

A lush land, perfect for people to live in and be safe. Chusi smiled before she collapsed into his arms. "Chusi!"

"She's okay, just drained…" Ryoto said gently. "Give her a day, she'll recover… but that's the most perfect domain I have ever seen her cast…" he said with great admiration.

He agreed, it is perfect.

They left but made a promise not to speak of it until it was needed. Besides, this was her jujutsu, she should have the honor of sharing it with the world.