Chapter 5

It was all over the news by the next day.

The band that tried to swindle the fans of Ryomen Sukuna and the Death Paintings were indeed making a name for themselves, but not one they would wish to have. Things only got worst for the no name boy band, as the reporters did some digging and found out their wealthy connection, the reason why they were able to advertise as well as they did and getting a stage that has a two year waiting list to play upon. It became clear.

"Three spoiled young rich boys had decided that they were good enough to put on a concert, however, they didn't have the fan base and attempted to use and lure those who listened to the bands Ryomen Sukuna and the Death Paintings. Since both went on hiatus do to family emergency, they had not been out touring since." Was one news report.

Suiryu had even gone on TV shows to explain what had happened. "The moment we found out someone was doing this, like hell I would let that slide, especially to our fans who are very devoted. So, the Death Paintings and I did a little digging, found out what was happening, but also learning how Echo stage worked. We did everything the night before to ensure these assholes had no idea that we knew their little ploy…"

"He's laying it on thick isn't he?" muttered Nobara as she held Itadori.

Yuuji was passed out somehow. She didn't know why, but either way she wouldn't complain.

Megumi sighed and shook his head to it all. "I do admit, his gift of gab is excellent isn't it? He can convince people of anything…"

"No kidding…" Nobara said. The interview went on for a while longer until they went to commercial. On other station, Junpei was actually being interviewed on the whole process. It was odd to see him in his 'rock star' personal. He's taller, rather attractive and was cool, calm and collected as he spoke, but also he appeared child like in a sense.

"This event upset you didn't it?" the reporter asked.

He smirked. "It pissed me off!" he said honestly, but didn't sound angry about it. "It's one thing to make a name for yourself, it's another to do so in an underhanded manner. My brothers and I worked hard to be the band that we are today. And if someone feels entitled enough to try and ride our coat tails thinking they would have it easier than to work hard, then fuck them!"

He froze as the interviewer did. "I shouldn't have said that word aloud huh?" he asked with an innocent smile. "My apologize. But it's how I felt. I am glad we were able to make it up to the people for the event. But there is something else too, we are doing another concert in the near future. We are drawing random names from those who were in the 100 yen theatre to be front row center for the whole show!" he said with great excitement.

"Really?"

"Oh yes, this was Ryomen's idea. Those who pay to be at our shows and yet not get a good seat, need an opportunity to have a good time like that. So we are going to be sending out massive emails soon enough to the lucky winners. They will get money to get to the venue, transportation and then sit front row for our show!"

"I didn't know they were going to be doing that…" Nobara whispered in amazement. Then again, Suiryu has been doing a lot of things recently. When Itadori is in the arms of Choso, he goes off. He's gone for hours but doesn't mention a word about it.

When he returns, he takes Itadori back and is taking care of him for the rest of the day. He's really changed in her eyes. There's compassion, caring… he is starting to channel the best qualities of Yuuji.

"Nobara?"

She jumped as Fushiguro called her name. "Huh?"

"You spaced out there. You okay?" he asked oddly. "You have been doing a lot of that as of late…"

She fell silent. It was true, yet she refused to admit to Fushiguro on the matter. As she reminisced before. Suiryu is starting to embody all the things she likes about Yuuji, but acting far more mature about it. Her mind has nearly gotten over the hurdle that he is Sukuna, since after all, he's not acting anything like him. Hell, just the other day, he went around town getting different bowls of Ramen for Eso to learn from and attempt to perfect and create his own.

Who would do that?

"It's nothing," she managed to scoff out. "Besides, perhaps we ought to be training…"

"Now I know something is up, it's our day off and you want to train? Normally you would want to go shopping."

'Shit, caught' she thought to herself. "Look, I just got a bad feeling about something, it's not sitting well with me. Something… something is just telling me to be ready." She said offhandedly.

"Be ready for what?"

She didn't know. At the same time, she has wondered though. Kitsune hasn't been seen in a while. Perhaps something has happened, or perhaps, she is dealing with something serious at the moment…

#

She sat there, rather impressed to say as she stared up at her older brother Loki. Kitsune has been keeping in close contact with her brothers recently, she learned that they have added another to their cozy family. And he sat next to Loki rather silently, and kept his head down.

"How long ago since this one was acquired?" she asked.

"Nearly a year ago, he's become a rather good brother to say. His perspective on things has kept us one step ahead!" Loki explained as he pounded back his drink.

It was a little coffee place, a hidden gem on a small island within Japan's territory, but it's also a good way to ensure privacy. But there was more to this meeting. "Brother, is something going on?" she asked.

Loki paused and sighed aloud. "A wyvern has gone missing," he said. "We have the scent, and it appears it has been… captured in a sense, but not by one being either."

She froze instantly to the news. "What?" she whispered angrily.

"The scent is soft and yet the power behind it is very familiar," chimed the new younger brother. "But this creature was targeted for its power alone, for it's a subspecies and nearly considered a dragon isn't it?"

"If one is desperate to assume so." Kitsune muttered. "They are a large being, but nowhere close to a dragon." She explained.

"Ah, that's why the others hassled me for speaking such a thing…"

"What is your name?" Kitsune asked curiously.

"Ace, miss… my name is Ace," he said meekly once more.

"Former hit man used to try and take out your young master's mate!" Loki explained.

Instantly, her calm persona vanished. "What…" she demanded venomously.

Ace shrunk, his face went pale at the notion. He suddenly lowered his head on to the table. "Kitsune… I was a human hitman!" he confessed. "I was hired to take out the woman and child for a high end client. Since I have been rendered a fox, I have assisted my new family in keeping her and the child safe. I swear it!"

She glared at Loki who was stuffing his face. "He's not wrong!" Loki insisted. "Seriously sis, he's been doing the work, he's been keeping everyone safe and sound. You ought to see little Kiyoshi, he's going to be walking in no time…" Loki paused as his phone went off. He peered it over and smirked. "Never mind, he just took his first steps today. Right into his grandfather's arms."

"Keep that video for my young master," she ordered. "I will overlook his past for now as long as he keeps doing the job he has been successful with. What has been your targets as of late?"

"I know all in the underground hitman industry. I recognize their faces instantly if they come anywhere near the young lady or her child. We take them out before they have even a chance to scope out the target."

"Do you know for certain that they are targeting young master's mate?"

He smirked. "By the human standpoint on things. She's the biggest target right now for anyone in my former industry to obtain and acquire for themselves. The bounty on her head is too good, there's a bonus of they take the child out with her."

She felt disgusted by the news. At the same time, she wondered. "What of the sorcerers?"

Loki shook his head. "Whatever that Suiryu guy did, along with big bro's power. No one has even batted an eye in her direction. Despite that, I have seen some sketchy things going in…"

"Such as?"

"Legions of Sukuna have been on the move,"

Kitsune paused. They have been oddly quite recently, and yet, now they are getting active again? "What do you know?"

Loki shook his head. "I… have sensed his presence here and there, remnant of Sukuna, his essence that remains bound to this world being gathered. It's not a lot and not enough for a full revival of the bastard, but… it's out there, being gathered… but that was months ago. Ever since I haven't seen a single one of them… then again… I think it was just one person doing it. They moved so fast and hardly seen or sensed."

Curious, perhaps it was one of the fifth hands at work.

Kitsune finished her tea. "Keep me informed of this, I want to be certain no one makes any attempt on my young master!" she ordered.

Loki nodded. "Of course sis!" he vowed.

Ace however appeared to be deep in though. "You had me study Sukuna… I have a question on the matter. Yuuji Itadori was his vessel before, correct? What would have happened if at the time, he didn't consume all the fingers and yet another vessel did… would they gain Sukuna's power as well?" he asked.

Kitsune shook her head. "When an entity such as him has manifested into a physical body, there can only be one in the world at any given time. Had it not been the case, he could have split himself up into twenty different hosts, and yet never obtain his full power."

He merely nodded. "Why ask that?" Loki questioned.

"Just something that's been at the back of my mind. This Suiryu guy, none of you appear to like, and yet. If he exists being part of Sukuna, does this mean that the demon sorcerer cannot manifest himself even if a body is found for him? Since he already exists in the world in an odd way."

Kitsune paused. Loki appeared stunned. "Fuck, why didn't we think of that?!" he demanded of his sister and yet laughed at it all. "Damn, despite the fact he is from Sukuna, he's the best defense in keeping him from getting a physical body!"

"I… never considered that before… I wonder if Suiryu is aware of his existence…" she muttered.

She would consider it another time, for now, it was time to return to her young master and see how he is doing…