Chapter 21

Back at the domain…

Sukuna had just finished brewing sake with Toshi.

He wouldn't dare admit it, but he had missed doing such a thing with him. Toshi was one of the few who understood the craft and technique of a good sake, but this was a long time coming. Toshi refused to go to the brewery as his wife and sisters in law were expecting. All of them HATED the smell of it and he was forced out of the house more than once because of the stench he apparently had. But, since the wives were having their children, it was time to get back into it!

He had just finished when he began to wonder the domain. His elemental power was coming along but there was a lot of room for improvement still. "Now, how do I continue on gaining the elemental power…" he thought to himself. It took him days to draw it up through the ground. It took another to properly circulate it throughout his body.

Compared to curse energy, it was like trying to move mud through his channels!

But now he has a better understanding of it, he continues to improve the circulation technique. Just as he was considering other methods of doing so, he paused as a rather large orb of water was lifted out of the lake nearby. "That's different…"

He went to investigate but pause as the water began to quiver at first… then the bubbles began to form in the mass… until it started to bubble before going into a roaring boil!

Sukuna paused as he saw the child by the lake, trembling with rage and clenched fists.

"GAH!" he roared in frustration.

The large orb of water evaporated instantly.

Dead fish dropped out from the sky and appeared perfectly cooked too!

"That had to have been a good thousand liters of water… not bad brat…" he muttered to himself. But once more, he was curious as to why the boy was upset. So, he ventured a little closer, took a seat and listened in.

"Why! Why won't he let me fight!"

Oh? The boy is looking to spar?

Yet as he ranted about his father, the boy paused, as he must have caught sight of him from the corner of his eye.

Sukuna continued to sit there. The boy stared. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.

He pointed to where the orb of water was. "It's not every day I see a massive amount of water get drawn from a lake… only to evaporate in an instant. You're upset, and it appears it has something to do with your father."

"You don't care either way, why ask?"

"Fair point, but at the moment, I have nothing better to do."

There was silence between them. Sukuna wasn't going to flat out say he would listen to him, but merely offering an ear was generous on his part.

"My dad doesn't want me to fight curses." Suddenly came out of the boy. "I know I lack training, but he hasn't been training me! Even now, the moment we got home, he went to mom and my siblings. Yes, they are younger but… I want guidance too. I mean… I showed how strong I was during the winter right? I could hold my own, couldn't I?"

Sukuna sat there oddly for a moment.

This… struck him.

He had an incident like this when he was young too, wanting to fight but had no control over his technique. The Toorus refused to allow him to help until he got his power under control. In hindsight, it was the proper call to make. But being young and foolish, one doesn't see it that way.

But this child…

"Then let's make a deal." Sukuna decreed. "I'll teach you to fight curses without your elemental power to back you,"

The boy's back went up instantly. "In exchange for what?" he demanded.

Sukuna sighed. "More elemental lessons," he said with a slight sneer. "I have some of the basics, but I still need guidance myself. What say you? Teach me, and I'll teach you?" his hand suddenly extended towards Kiyoshi. "Be at ease, I cannot even make a binding vow if I wanted to."

It was strange to see the child on edge like this. After all, throughout winter, he was oddly playful and open minded. But now… the boy has resorted back to his old way of thinking of him.

Then again…

"I could teach you a little more, but, how could you teach me to fight curses?"

Sukuna smirked. "Look at your heavenly restricted peers." He explained. "They have no curse energy or elemental energy… BUT, with a curse tool or weapon, they can defeat them since they have the battle prowess to do so. I have always had such a gift for combat, even without my curse energy… I can teach you this."

The boy considered it, but then smiled. "I'll agree to this trade of skills." Kiyoshi put out his hand. Sukuna shook it without hesitation. "Now, let's get started."

"Now?" he asked.

"Now, the sooner I train you on this, the sooner you train me to hunt curses. So, you want to do this then?"

He smirked, the boy was a go getter, he also saw the greater picture before him. Standing up, Sukuna's smile grew. "I'll be in your care,"

Kiyoshi nodded as he led him deeper into the woods. When he felt it was appropriate, Kiyoshi gave off a high pitch whistle.

There was nothing.

"What was that about?" Sukuna demanded.

"You're lesson. I called in some help, but, in order for you to receive that help… you have to see them first. So, the first lesson I have for you is, see the elementals who come to your aid. When I learned about elemental energy, this was the second hurdle I had to overcome. Luckily for me, I learned this in a short while thanks to Tenko… my fox guardian."

He paused oddly.

Looking about, there was nothing, not a single sign of life. "You are messing with me aren't you, child?" he demanded. "You are getting even…"

Snap.

The child snapped his fingers, then, Sukuna's eyes grew hazy. Everything was a blur at first but the boy talked him through it. "Right now, I have lowered the 'haze' that comes over the eyes of humans. Humans don't interact with elementals unless they are spiritually strong or the elementals themselves have a contract with the human. Now, look around you. Tell me what you see, even if it is different than what it was a moment ago. The smallest changes can show you the way."

Is this child truly the brat's brat?!

He began to look about, it was then he noticed the odd glowing orbs. They were glowing green of all things. "Green orbs?" he asked and looked about.

"Wow, you got that faster than anticipated. Those are elemental spirits, that's the extent of what you can see of them right now since it is all that they allow. Interact with them, by the way, none of them are fussed about you."

"I do believe I understand why that is. I did damage the earth with the blood of millions. I have ripped the flesh of earth for my own greed and destroyed more than any other of my time. I accept that this power has to be earned and entrusted to, not merely given for the sake of the connection."

The boy was impressed. "Good start," he said bluntly. "Now, prove it to them that you understand what you did was wrong. Show them how you have changed, and then, perhaps, more will be revealed to you."

"This is the first lesson?" Sukuna asked.

"Indeed it is, now… what do you intend on showing me for MY first lesson?"

Sukuna smiled. "You and me… we're going to spar like in winter… but… no elemental power on your part… Oh, and do so a lot!"

The boy didn't flatter. Instead, he smirked. "I've been wanting a chance to beat you at something."

"Be careful for what you wish for, brat!"