Chapter 19

He has had his arms transfigured, his legs turned against him. Yet each and every day, he comes back for more. "Again!" Junpei ordered. "Do it again please!"

Suiryu was taken aback by his demand. "Why? It's obvious to me that you are able to turn your limbs back…"

"You said that before until I can turn back or repel it completely, I won't be over it. Despite the fact I can turn myself back, this still scares me. Incase the day comes where I may forget how to turn back. I won't stop until I repel it!" he said with great determination. "I can feel my soul grow stronger each day from this, I am nearly there, so please…" His head lowered before Suiryu. "Please continue!"

He peered up and saw Suiryu smiling wickedly. "Good, you aren't satisfied with small victories… I like that!" he said. Without hesitation he grabbed Junpei's hand. From there his arms and legs were transfigured. He cringed from the turn, but as he hit the ground, a smile came over him.

"Thank you," he said meekly and began to focus. As of late he had only done two limbs at a time, this was the first time Suiryu had turned all four limbs against him. He could go and change them back one by one, but he felt that it wouldn't make him stronger, instead. Junpei wouldn't turn his limbs back until he could do all four at once.

Suiryu appeared to have taken a seat on the ground and watched on with great interest. Junpei began to feel his own curse energy grow and strengthen him, and then he felt the top of his arms and the hip of his legs turn. The flesh began to push out and become soft again, the legs and arms started extending as the scaly like appearance altered to that of flesh once more.

"AAAAGGGGHHHHH!" he shouted.

In his scream, he felt his arms and legs grow until they became whole one more. Junpei was out of energy, his eyes rolled back but he saw Suiryu smiling from ear to ear.

#

He passed out.

Hitting the ground hard, Junpei was out cold. Yet he couldn't help himself. Suiryu began applauding him! "Remarkable… unbelievable… for someone who isn't even knowledgeable in transfiguration you are able to overcome it, I am impressed bro,"

He's been around the nine so much he hasn't been able to stop himself from calling them brother. Then again, if he didn't he would probably offend them. "Well, I think you are going to be out for a few hours. So you may as well get some rest…" He stood up and then lifted Junpei on to his shoulders.

Suiryu decided that he should rest were Yuuji was. No doubt he will wake soon enough, it would be a pleasant surprise for the two to find each other the moment they come too. He was careful as he propped Junpei up on the other side of the beanbag bed, he placed a blanket over him before checking on Yuuji. His head was tossing about, indicating he was trying to wake up. He did the last treatment needed for his arms, from there his energy began to flow properly again. "Perfect, we hit the ground running when you wake up."

He left the two to rest, as he came back outside, Eso froze. "I heard Junpei scream, what happened?" he asked.

"Transfigured all four of his limbs, he was determined to turn them all back at once… that was his grit coming out in him… he succeeded by the way"

Eso sighed with relief, but he still appeared worried. "Are you sure this is okay for him to do?" he asked.

"It has to be done," Suiryu said with great determination. "He won't get any strong if he is living in his past. And the past offer him nothing but pain, he has to work through that to be able to stand strong and among you and the others."

Eso sighed aloud. "Sometimes I wonder if we are doing more harm than good to him… but there was one thing I have always wanted to ask of you."

"Shoot,"

"What would you have done with us if we said no to helping you?"

Suiryu merely smirked. "Would have left you guys here," he said. "Had I been anything like Sukuna, who would have killed you on the spot. Me, nah, besides, I put Yuuji through hell bringing you guys here. If he found out that I did that to him only to get rid of you guys… we would kill me for it!"

He didn't appear convinced. "Really? Why spare us? If we were to have helped you in this war, and refused, what would be the point of keeping any of us alive?"

Suiryu shrugged his shoulders to it all. "Well, what if a time comes where you would have helped us?" he asked.

Eso appeared rather startled to the question, he never took that into consideration. "Look, it doesn't matter to me if you had said yes or no. Had you said no, I would have put all my efforts in training the sorcerers back at the school full time. But since you said yes, the least I could be doing to helping you and your family is to show your potential and true strength…" he paused as he turned to the house that kept Yuuji and Junpei. "I am most curious about the youngest there. Because I am sensing something each time I transfigure him. His curse energy is reacting to it oddly, at the same time, it appears to be waking something else up within him."

"Is he going to be okay?" Eso asked.

"Fine, if anything… he may become the strongest out of all of you."

Silence befell Eso, he looked to where Suiryu stared but then back at him. "Little Junpei… could become the strongest out of all of us…" he whispered. "That's wonderful!" he said with a grin.

Yet as Eso was pleased to hear such news, Junpei had woken up already and was approaching them. "Suiryu!" he called.

"Ah, the conquering hero awakens! That was barely ten minutes of rest you got…"

There was a look of determination in his eye. "Suiryu... turn me completely." He said. "Transfigure me to the form that killed me, I want to see if I can turn myself back to normal."

"What! NO!" protested Eso. "Little one, take it easy, it's too…"

"Okay," Suiryu said without hesitation.

"But he's tired!" Eso protested once more. "Brother, you can't do this to the youngest…"

The smile crept over Suiryu. "If there's one thing I do have that I never got rid of from Sukuna… it's to see people struggle and suffer." He said in a rather evil tone. He grabbed hold of Junpei's arm once more, and started the process. "But there is a stark difference between us when it comes to this…"

Eso cringed as he saw Junpei, alter and turn into a hideous creature. He went on all four limbs as he burst out of his clothing and struggled to stand. But then, as soon as he turned, he was already fighting it to turn back.

Slowly, but surely, his human state began to return. His arms and legs stretched and grew once more, his body mass began to reduce drastically as his face contorted and changed.

"AAAAHHHHH!" he screamed aloud.

In that moment, Suiryu's eyes widened. "Yes, that's it!" he said with great passion. "Show me your resolve Junpei!"

He struggled perhaps for a moment or two, but once he understood what needed to be done, he began to alter back rather quickly.

Eso was utterly speechless as Junpei turned himself back to normal. Despite losing his clothing in the process, he succeeded. "That's what I am talking about!" Suiryu said with great cheer. "Ah, and that's the difference between the bastard Sukuna and I… despite the fact I enjoy watching people struggle, I enjoy it more when they conquer it!"

Eso sighed with relief though. "As long as little brother is okay, I shouldn't have any complaints…"

"Oh I think he will be fine after this, he conquered his fear. I can also feel his soul grow stronger, if anything, next time I try to do this… he's going to repel me."

"Really?"

"Yes, his strength is admirable and has grown to the point where I am rather content with it. I also want to get him trained on his curse abilities; we don't know what they are yet. For now, let's get him clothed and back to rest."

Eso nodded as he did just that, he got Junpei into fresh clothing, Suiryu carried him back to Yuuji's space and allowed him to rest there.

It won't be long now…