Chapter 9

Within the lab…

Ryujin watched on, he took notice of all around him before coming to the conclusion as to how to end it all. But first thing's first, he needs to repair this body. His sights turned to Sukuna. 'He's not a clone of Itadori, however there is more than enough material to use. As well… the extra will benefit the others…' he thought.

Those in the lab were quick to leave as they sensed a very powerful presence, no doubt his mother his revealed herself to the elders and all were called in to assist them. When the lab emptied, Ryujin approached the cloned body and peered into it. It was living, yet kept in a state of meditation as it were. But now it was time to wake it. With a single hand on the glass, he shattered it! The liquid came rushing out, as Sukuna collapsed on to the ground, yet, there was movement. His four arms twitched as his head slowly tossed from side to side.

"You won't have the opportunity…" Ryujin warned as he placed a single hand on the top of Sukuna's head, one, sharp pulse punctured through and it went limp once more. "I never thought I would ever kill the soul in a body… still don't like it…" Then he reached down once more. Placing both hands on the figure, Ryujin's flesh began to melt and then the same thing happened to Sukuna's remains until they were drawn up though his palms.

He absorbed very bit of him, and then used the materials to improve Suiryu's structure. First, reinforce the body. Second, cultivate to adjust to curse energy once more. Third, ensure his appearance remains the same. He wouldn't want Suiryu to become the very thing he despises the most.

All in all it wasn't difficult, and far easier to accomplish.

The curse marks appeared once more on the flesh, and yet they still remained unlit like the others. "It's progress no doubt…" he said to himself. But now his attention as turned elsewhere.

In three other chambers, he saw them in a state like Sukuna's. Ryujin however knew these faces. "The first of the three great families…" he watched with amazement as their eyes opened. They weren't kept in that deep of a meditative state, yet there was a look of desperation in their eyes.

'Stop… this…' he heard a voice whisper.

He nodded yet first, he lowered his head. "I know you saw what I just did, but I promise you, my vessel is nothing like that bastard. I do ask of you this one favor… I need your bodies to bring back those who can assist in defeating the elders who did this to you. May I have your permission? In return, I assure you, they won't be able to do this again to you."

'Do it, take our technique with you' said one.

But he paused oddly to the voice. "Wait, are you…"

'It matters not, the longer we remain, the more we suffer. Please… do it'

Ryujin nodded. He broke the glass once more and then released the souls in a far more peaceful approach than he did to Sukuna. With their souls released, he sighed aloud. "Sadly, I have to do this…" His jaws widened. One by one he consumed the bodies until they were gone, but he has the materials… but that was only three.

"I need one more… huh?" he turned to the far end of the room. There was a door marked

'Do not enter, subject 23 contained here'

"Subject 23?" he muttered. He tore the door off and peered in. Yet another in suspended animation, and yet he couldn't understand why the soul wasn't within the container like the others.

"No curse energy…" he said instantly, yet the closer he looked the more he realized there was a connection. He smirked a little. "Very well then, you come along too…" he shattered the glass and consumed that body as well. He has enough materials for four now. But along the way out he found two others. They were not fit for what he has in mind, yet one he saw potential. The other… he needs to be sure suffers for their crimes. "I see they managed to preserve the likes of you Kenjaku." He said.

The brain was merely floating in a jar.

"No matter, I'll borrow Suiryu's subspace storage, you'll be contained there, and for good measures…" he placed a barrier around the container to ensure he doesn't escape.

The other though, it was a dead body, but there was life lingering with it somehow. "Curious…" he whispered. "Come along as well, I am certain I will have use for you." He shattered the glass and tossed the body into the storage space. With everything of value obtained, Ryujin smiled. "Now… let's see how strong Sukuna really is at full power…" His hands went together, as he devious grin came over him.

A mere pulse blew up the lab instantly.

But there were other sections that had to be dealt with as well, he went over them, once by one, blowing up the rooms with a mere expulsion of curse energy. He was rather impressed to it all. "Not bad… I do believe he couldn't have done better, but I won't complain. Suiryu will be able to hold his own now…" Ryujin said proudly, but paused. Taking a whiff of the air, his nose scrunched in disgust. "Ugh, sadly he will stink of Sukuna again…" he sighed.

'Mother, I have everything I need.' Ryujin called telepathically.

'Good, I was just leaving. You better head back soon. I sense Suiryu was more successful than I thought he would be…'

His body moaned. Ryujin began to feel it in his core and the pain echoed up his back. "He works fast, I'll give him that…" he warped back to the hidden valley, rushed to Suiryu's room without noticing the others have all vanished. But, he sensed them outside.

War was about to break out.

"The time is now…" Ryujin closed his eyes. Suiryu took over once more.

#

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!" he screamed.

Suiryu suddenly woke from his drunken dream, and yet, it felt so real to him. He swore he ran into those people as if they were alive… but now… his body is rebelling. "Oh God! Is this death?!" he demanded.

He collapsed on to his bed, and yet the pain only echoed down his spine. "GAAAHHH!" he roared once more, it was as if something were crawling under his skin, pushing him to his breaking point, trying to break free. "Stop, just… stop!" he pleaded.

It only intensified. He collapsed to the ground as he swore he heard his flesh ripping apart. But as it did, he started to sense the outside world… those who Yuuji cares about… those who he cares about… are about to confront the council and their legions. The numbers are against them.

"No… no I can't… I can't let them… I have… I have to help them… GAH!" he screamed aloud once more. He felt his weight shifting, the mass built up from behind then suddenly, he flesh erupted! Suiryu was in a daze as it happened; yet he still found himself pleading, not to end his pain though. "Someone… please… bring them back safely… please…"

He couldn't take it anymore. He collapsed, but as he did, he felt a gentle hand brush through his hair. "Don't worry, Suiryu. You can leave the rest to us."