Chapter 14

Sukuna just left lady Tiamat's residence, he was going to work on the list of materials he would need since… after all… Toji wanted something else to do this in. Chusi wants to be obliging… not to mention Sukuna felt he didn't have much choice in the matter since he did terrible things to Megumi.

So, this was the least he could do.

However, just as he was prepared to find something to write everything in, he paused and noticed the brat's child moping around.

'For a mortal who just became a dragon, he's upset about something.' He thought.

Sukuna was going to ignore it, since after all, the boy is a dragon now. There isn't much he can do to help him.

"Sukuna?"

He froze as the child called out to him.

Peering over, Sukuna looked into the face of a rather startled and yet… oddly enough, determined young man. "If you are looking for a spar session, I think we already had that talk…"

He child froze but sighed. "Can… you give me advice as to how to face my dad?" he asked.

This, made him reconsider just walking away. "Your father? You are going to face your father? As in fight him?" he asked.

The boy nodded. "He… sits on me like an egg." He muttered.

He couldn't help but snort out a laugh, the boy wasn't impressed to his reaction needless to say. "Apologize… but that's hilarious to me,"

"Yeah, I knew it would be. I hesitated asking you because I KNEW you would laugh." He said with a sigh. "But at the same time, I need someone who knows… how my dad fights. My Uncle is good and all but at the same time…"

"Not as merciless as me."

"Oh he can be, but when it comes to my dad…"

"You're wise in seeking me. Come, let's speak of this elsewhere."

The boy followed him, they kept silent until there was no one around, still. The notion of the child being sat on like an egg was rather hilarious to him. "So, speak then, what is this about?"

The child sighed aloud and explained that his father keeps sitting on him. But he heard his uncle say that he thinks his dad is trying to make up for not being there for him when he was younger. "At the same time, it's humiliating!" he protested. "I rather wake up every morning without looking at a wall of scales and being pinned down in bed!... that sounded a LOT worst when I said it aloud."

"Too late, already spoken…" Sukuna said and snickered. With his elemental power, he made two stone seats. Sukuna took one and gestured for the child to sit across from him.

"Now then, let's talk. How well do you know your father? His method of fighting?"

He peered away. "I… haven't seen my father fight,"

"That's one issue," Sukuna said and paused. "What do you know of battle?"

"Besides sparring with you… not a lot. I have trained with some of the heavenly restriction kids… And the Fushiguros. They let me play wrestle with them,"

"That alone got you some experience. What you call play wrestling… is a spar session with a dragon, you went against three of them and held your own. So you know how to slip out of a grasp or situation." Sukuna paused. "What you need to know is that your father is unpredictable. At the same time, he is a fast learner. I will give him that. He caught even me off guard, that doesn't happen often."

The boy had a glimmer of hope in his eye.

Sukuna sighed aloud. "Very well then, stand up."

The child smiled as he stood. Sukuna came up in front of him. "You are merely going to block, don't strike or you will break my arms."

He nodded seriously and stood at the ready. "That stance… where did you learn that stance?"

The child kept himself low to the ground, his feet evenly spaced out, his fists clenched and yet within a good distance of each other. He could block or strike with ease if needed.

"I've been watching Maki sensei, as well, I've seen my dad do this once before for something… I can't really remember… but… it feels…"

"Instinctual?" Sukuna asked.

"Yeah!" the child decreed. "It's like I have done it before!"

Curious, unless the child absorbs more than what he lets on, just like his father. "Very well, block these…"

Sukuna came at him hard and fast, using all four of his arms he tried to land a barrage of strikes, the thing was, the child blocked them all!

It was as if he knew which fist would come at him first, and how fast.

When he stepped back, the boy kept his stance and his eyes on him. "Not bad, I think you got some of your father's fighting ability within you. But… I think this is a little different."

"Different?"

"Your father had to experience combat to understand how to counter his opponent, I know for a fact he took a lot of damage doing so. You shouldn't learn from this method, however, I do advise you watch a mock battle… better still… come with me."

#

He took Kiyoshi to see Chusi and Suguru spar.

It was remarkable in nearly a year's time, how much the sorcerer improved under her guidance. Then again, Chusi doesn't take no for an answer. Suguru didn't quite have much of a choice, and yet, at the same time. It appears he is enjoying himself now.

"Whoa…" the child whispered as he watched them go head to head.

Chusi as always was quick on her feet, however, Suguru has noticed her pattern and range of attacks depending on the weapon in hand. She prefers to use a bamboo staff most of the time since it's not a weapon that can kill a person with… well… she could do it and he is aware of masters who can as well. But at the moment, it was the least deadly weapon she could use to spar with.

Suguru was bruised, yet not bleeding. He had welts on his body but his reverse jujutsu was getting faster than the injuries being inflicted.

"Good!" Chusi called the match. Suguru sighed as he fell back and caught his breath.

"Still brutal…" he muttered.

He peered to the side and suddenly took notice of them. "Sukuna… and Kiyoshi?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, is this about THAT thing?" Chusi asked.

"You know it, so, can we help the child?"

Her smile grew. In fact, Chusi beamed!

"YES! Kiyoshi, come down here! Ryomen and I will assist you!"

The child's eyes widened. "Really?! You'll help me defeat my dad?!"

"I said for you to come down here, now didn't I?" she asked in a teasing tone. "Let's see what you can do and what we have to work with."

For the next few hours, Sukuna and Chusi helped train Kiyoshi Itadori to face his father in a one on one battle…