Chapter 8

Meanwhile…

Suiryu was back at the studio doing what he does best, however…

"Hon… I really hate to say this but…"

"No, the answer is no, he's not modeling!" Suiryu snapped back. As of late, various designers have been approaching D'angelo, since there was that double billboard of him and Sukuna in the same suit and yet people were drawn to Sukuna due to his 'mature appearance'. Since then, there have been request for Suiryu and his 'older brother' to appear in ads.

"Besides, it's not possible right now, he's on his honeymoon," he explained. 'Like HELL I would let that bastard ruin my thing…' he thought to himself.

"I already know he would reject it, not to mention he isn't going to look like that forever, but you have to admit…"

"Not… another word,"

D'angelo took the hint and dropped the matter. However, today was rather special, Suiryu was in front of the camera all day advertising a new fashion line. It's Archie's and he promised him to do so.

Archie just got a vendor and a contract for various stores to sell his clothing at, but no advertisement.

This is where Suiryu steps in. So for the whole day, he posed and wore the various outfits. However by the end of it all, he made an odd request. "Can I keep these?" he asked aloud.

D'angelo was stunned.

"You… hardly ever ask to keep the clothing you are modeling in!" he protested.

"Yeah but at the same time, this is awesome, it feels like bamboo. It's light, airy and very comfortable. I have a hard enough time finding something like that…" he said.

Archie… couldn't move from where he stood. In fact, tears were flowing down his face and oddly enough his forehead.

"His other eyes," D'angelo whispered.

"Ah, Archie, can I have these? Or do you prefer I pay for them?" Suiryu asked.

"Suiryu… I will make you a whole fashion line just for saying that!"

"Huh? Oh… right… dragon favoritism…" he muttered. "Let me buy them, I'll be your first customer!" he decreed.

Archie however refused, stating the clothing will already pay for itself the moment it hit the stores.

That was one promise kept. However, Suiryu noticed that look on D'angelo's face. Something was bothering him.

"What's wrong?"

He sighed. "We have not found Leo Adonis at all," he said in defeat. "I have been looking all over for him, at the same time… I don't know if you have seen this…" Suiryu was given some newspaper clippings. They were of missing young women.

"Is there a pattern or something?" he asked.

D'angelo pointed to the pictures. "That is the head of his fan club, that's his social media director… that's…"

Apparently, all who knew Leo Adonis… were starting to disappear.

The news articles indicated the disappearances of these women, so far that ten who have gone missing all associate with Adonis at one point or another.

"It could be him, or a curse too, couldn't it?"

"I know, but something tells me it's him."

Suiryu agreed, he would keep a close eye on it all. "Anything else?"

"You just know how to pry my secrets out of me… Bo needs some help with the sirens. The other divine user, who wants to save them, is getting nowhere near the studio. They only take those who can make a siren dance. That's their thing, but no one else really knows about it. Bo and this kid have tried everything possible to get in, but he doesn't have the oof in a sense to break through."

He was getting the jiffs of it.

"So, they need someone backing them… without really being noticed… are they here?"

D'angelo smiled.

"Indeed,"

"Bring them here, let's see if we can work something out. Perhaps it's time I do a collaboration… as Ryomen Sukuna!"

#

Meanwhile…

Yuuji, Ozawa and the kids were at the park.

Yuuji had always wanted to do this, but with everyone going on and what has been happening, it was out of the realm of possibility. But now, he could, as long as they are home before Kiyoshi finishes school.

He admired them from afar.

Since something like this would never have been possible before, not with all that happened and continued to do so. And yet, there was something off about it all. Sukuna's revival rallies up curses when he was brought back and contained within Yuuji himself. Yet, he is physically back, when he had his curse energy, the curses didn't rally up like before… did they?

Or have they become that proficient to stopping them?

Yuuji didn't quite know, but he wondered what caused this change so suddenly…

Yet that thought was soon ignored.

He smelt something familiar… something… dangerous.

Then, a blond haired man sat next to him.

He appeared to be minding his own business, however, Itadori knew he was not one to be trusted.

In fact, he peered about. The playground was surrounded.

"Try anything brash, and they will die where they play." Said the blond.

Yuuji would never let that happen. Instead he smiled. "You really think I wouldn't prepare?" he asked. "But the fact remains you have yet to attack them. Meaning, you wish to convey something to me… What do you want, Kenjaku?"

Suddenly, the blond was startled.

"You… how did you know…"

"I don't have to answer you,"

"Did you forget your origins?"

"My origins?" Yuuji asked but smirked. "Are severed from you." He said in a cold, callous tone. "So, say what you want and get lost."

"Hmm, you see that's what has bothered me so… despite the fact I am sitting right here next to you… you don't dare attempt to take my life? I am certain you are going to live long enough to find a new wife, create a new family… why not take the risk?"

"Because, I'm not you." Yuuji said bluntly. "You could care less about those around you, and had you been in my position, I know you would sacrifice anything but yourself to get what you desire. I know that first hand…" he said bitterly. "So, speak your peace and be gone, leave my family out of this…" he warned.

Kenjaku smirked, he turned to those who had gathered and waved them off. Yuuji was surprised that he did, however, he wasn't going to trust him nor take any chances. "Elementals, please protect my loved ones, bring them home." He said gently.

"What are you babbling…" Kenjaku paused as he saw Yuuji's family vanish into the sandpit.

It startled Kenjaku's followers as well who stepped back and away fearfully. "Interesting… that wasn't curse energy… nor was it your energy…"

"Are you done?" Yuuji asked.

"For the moment, I saw something fascinating… but I do have to ask… how foolish of a boy do you have to be to trust Sukuna?"

Itadori paused but smirked. "Who said I did?" he asked. "I don't trust him, I never will… but have you not asked yourself that question too? No doubt you had a binding vow with him, at the same time, you can't take him at his word either."

"So you admit he is alive?"

"I admit to nothing," he replied. "But, for argument sake, I merely answered your question." Yuuji said and smiled. "I may not be the smartest person, however, I am getting better at hearing the intent of others." He began to stand but saw those Kenjaku waved off starting to return.

"Well, far be it from me to hinder those around me. For you see, I am the one who brought the Dragon slayers to Japan…"

"Do you see this?" Yuuji asked as he pointed to his face. Kenjaku nodded. "This is my 'I already knew that you dumbass' face." He replied and smiled warmly. "But enough of that, dragon slayers huh? Well, either way. I am not the least bit surprised considering it is you. But, I am curious as to how you knew I was one…"

"I do believe you told me, I don't have to tell you anything." Kenjaku said with a smirk.

"Tit for tat… fair, either way, this is where we part… oh… Can I just say one thing?" Yuuji said. He turned and smiled to Kenjaku. "Watch your step, for the sake of my mother. I and my brothers have held back from killing you for the time being. Until she says so… consider yourself lucky that you can still walk away from this."

Yuuji never gave him time to answer, instead, he was quick to clap his hands and teleport to Kyoto instantly. Thank goodness for Todo's boogie woogie!