Chapter 38

"Whoa… look at what the cat coughed up…"

It was… an interesting morning. Yua has been having a hard time with her children. Those born from Satoru refuse to listen or acknowledge her for the mistreatment they endured. They have grown in recent weeks but… Their growth wasn't celebrated. Especially for Saitama who grew out once more.

The only saving grace in this is the fact the children do listen to Suguru, Mochi, Shin and Rook. Yet, as she was about to attempt to speak with the brood, she heard a call.

She arrived with Yuuji and Suiryu who happened to mention offhandedly to the problem at hand.

Ryoto… really wasn't five anymore.

In fact, she had to look up to stare him in the eyes.

Ryoto on the other hand was flushed red with embarrassment to it all. "I… didn't think I would grow THAT much," he said offhandedly.

"Are you okay though?" she asked gently.

Ryoto took a deep breath and nodded. "I knew I was getting stronger, but I didn't think it would be getting THIS strong! I'm nearly as big as my father…"

Yua peered between the two of them, Ryoto was indeed catching up to Sukuna… at the same time, that divine masks lowers his height… She peered at Sukuna who turned his head away sharply. Meaning, Ryoto has no idea about his true appearance.

"So it seems, how old do you feel?" she asked.

"PPPFFF!" came out of Chusi.

"What's so funny?" Yua demanded.

She leaned in and whispered. "He's ten"

A part of Yua froze as she glared at Chusi who merely nodded her head to it, she turned to Sukuna once more… and he reluctantly nodded.

A ten-year-old Sukuna is as tall as Satoru Gojo!

"Auntie… is there someone who has clothing nearly as big as me?" Ryoto asked gently. "I'm wearing my father's robe right now and it's a little embarrassing."

Yua couldn't explain it, but how Ryoto spoke to her just now… was rather endearing. She smiled and nodded. "I think I know where we can get you some clothing… If you can wear the robe for now…"

He nodded to this, but then froze. "The others don't know I got this big…" he whispered.

"Oh? You mean Toshi's kids?" Suiryu asked. "Actually, I just swung by there before coming here… you're in good company…" he said offhandedly.

"The important factor is that we get them educated and fast, we cannot have children in near adult bodies thinking like children now can we?" Chusi asked.

"Good point…" Yua muttered.

"I'll call Nanami sensei!" Said Yuuji as he rushed off to find his mentor. Ryoto on the other hand was still red with embarrassment.

"Mom… is this right?" he whispered to her.

Chusi giggled at his tone. "It's perfect, you were getting stronger too, it was only a matter of time this happened. Besides, I think this is just the first shot." She laughed.

"Huh!?" came out of the masses.

"What?" demanded Sukuna.

Chusi sighed aloud but nodded. "Even I have seen his progress, he has mastered his elemental power which fast tracked his divine power since they are very similar… he'll master curse energy in no time, but I would like one more growth spurt before that happens…" she said offhandedly.

"RYOTO!"

OOF!

THUD!

Everyone froze.

Marcy tried to bowl over Ryoto as she always has, but this time… it was her who hit the ground hard!

"MARCY! Are you okay?" Ryoto asked.

She stared at him, her eyes wide with amazement as she looked over Ryoto with surprised eyes. "You're really tall!" she whispered in amazement. She too grew to about the same size of a 10 year old girl.

He turned away embarrassed. "Sorry…"

"What are you apologizing for!? You're tall! You're big! My brothers are going to be thrilled!"

Yua peered to Marcy oddly. "You've taken him in haven't you?" she asked.

She smiled proudly and nodded. "Ryoto will always be one of us! He's a brood mate!"

"Brood… mate?" he asked nervously.

"You grew up together, you are only a few years older than them but to a dragon, Ryoto. You are very, very close in age. Hell the age gaps around here are going to be stupid, but for a dragon, those who are from 20- 350… is considered the same age group depending on the maturity of the species…" Yua explained.

No one moved.

Sukuna himself appeared rather perplexed by this and yet…

"So, I'm considered to be one of the family!" Ryoto decreed.

"Papa insisted! You are with us more often than not, so it's only right. My brothers always considered you one of us." Marcy said proudly.

Yua snickered to this, at the same time. It did her heart good. Ryoto, despite being the son of Sukuna… he was a very decent kid. He really does remind her of Yuuji, of course that blessing Itadori gave him too… it was rather powerful since he meant every word of it to ensure Ryoto never ends up falling into madness like his father did.

"Come on Ryoto, let's go see the others!" Marcy called and grabbed his hand, she forced him along and he didn't refuse.

At the same time… Yua smirked and shook her head.

"How is it that the kids arrange themselves before they come of age?" she sighed.

"What the hell are you talking about Yua?" Suiryu demanded.

She peered back over to Ryoto and Marceline. Suiryu peered himself but paused. "Well fuck…" he said offhandedly and snickered.

"You mocking my boy?!"

"Nope… I just don't envy you…"

"What the hell does that even mean?! What are you talking about knockoff?!"

"Wait a while longer, it's gonna be bluntly clear, even to you" Yua snickered. "If things are well in hand here… I got to go and see if my other children will warm up to me…"

There was silence.

"Your children STILL refuse you?" Suiryu asked in disbelief. "That's impossible! You did everything…"

"Blame Six Eyes."

Yua looked to Sukuna, Chusi was nodding in agreement with his statement. "Satoru as you say, shit the bed on this." Chusi stated. "Yua, if anything… keep your distance."

"Why?" she asked.

"You may come across as smothering your children. They have made their feelings clear, but if they are not respected, they will push farther away from you." Chusi explained. "Trust in me sister, give them space and let them come to you."

At this point, she was rather desperate.

With a sigh, Yua agreed. But wondered, what good would it do?

That was when it happened… the winds suddenly kicked up to the point of it nearly being blinding! It ended just as fast as it started, but when the dust settled. Yua froze.

"Rook… I smell Rook's blood!" She rushed off in search of her son. Sukuna came along with her, for some reason he appeared just as concerned as her…