.

𝐉𝐮𝐣𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐮 𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧: 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬
By: AnonWriterzzzz

Chapter 9: Azuma Kabe Cave Mission, Part 1

Azuma Kabe Cave System, Japan
7th of September, 2024
12:52 PM

Now in total darkness, Miyazato directed the flashlight towards the deeper end of the cave, illuminating only a few meters in front of them. They began walking deeper into the cave, shining the light on the cave walls. They could see miniature cursed spirits crawling all around, squirming into the cracks in the walls. Their grotesque figures made Joyo visibly nauseous. They delved further into the cave, eventually finding a small chamber with a corridor that led to a narrow passageway, just wide enough for one person to pass through at a time.

Miyazato, pointing to the passageway: "There. I believe we can find more clues beyond that area."

Joyo glanced at Miyazato, his eyes wide. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, and he wiped it away with a shaky hand.

Joyo, firmly: "Shigematsu-chan, are you crazy? There's no way I'll be able to fit through there!"

Miyazato: "I understand that you're a little claustrophobic, but orders are orders. We need to clear out this infestation."

Joyo: "Alright, alright, but can I at least open it up a little bit?"

Miyazato: "That sounds really risky, Joyo. This cave is already unstable as it is."

Joyo: "Don't worry, I've been practicing controlling my technique output. I should be able to pull this off without causing another collapse!"

Miyazato sighed, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

Miyazato: "Alright, I trust you. Just please don't get us killed."

Joyo fist-pumped the air and began walking toward the tight corridor.

Shin, growing worried: "Hey, you guys never explained to me what his cursed technique is."

Miyazato: "You'll see."

When Joyo reached the entrance of the corridor, he placed both hands on the narrow opening, about ten inches apart from each other. He began breathing rhythmically, his hands flaring up with blue cursed energy. Suddenly, pulsating vibrations expanded from his palms, like ripples in water. The narrow opening started to widen slowly, and Shin's jaw dropped in shock. Joyo let out a loud grunt, and the rocks around the opening began to crack, those cracks turning into large pieces of rock as the shockwaves burst open a wider entrance. The three looked up and saw that the integrity of the cave remained strong. Miyazato walked forward, leaving Shin in the darkness behind the flashlight. A sudden chill ran down Shin's spine as darkness enveloped him. His pulse quickened, and the shadows seemed to press in around him. He hurried forward, desperate for the faint light ahead. Man, I hate the dark... he thought, swallowing hard.

Joyo Zankoku's cursed technique is Harsh Rebuke, which centers around controlling kinetic energy in short, explosive bursts. He can take the force from attacks, movements, and impacts and redirect it with increased intensity, making every encounter with him a potential backlash for his opponents. Additionally, Joyo can stockpile kinetic energy inside his body for later use. However, storing too much energy can lead to catastrophic health issues.

Miyazato: "Good work, Joyo-chan. You proved me wrong again."

Led by Miyazato, the three squeezed through the widened passageway. As they emerged on the other side, Miyazato raised the flashlight, its beam slicing through the darkness to reveal a vast chamber. The sight that greeted them was that of a massive nest sprawled across every inch of the cave floor, crammed with grotesque, pulsating eggs, which faintly glowed a gross hue of green. The eggs quivered and swelled, their translucent skins revealing the faint, writhing shapes within. From their vantage point on the elevated platform, the chamber stretched out before them like a monstrous garden, each egg throbbing in a sickly, rhythmic dance that filled the air with a sinister hum. A nauseating stench filled the chamber, the sickly sweet and rotten odor of the eggs struck their noses. Shin gagged, his stomach churning as bile rose in his throat.

Shin, covering his nose: "Dear God! What the hell is that smell?"

Miyazato nudged Shin's arm with his shoulder.

Miyazato, softly: "You need to stay quiet. There's a good chance we're not alone."

Shin: "Got it..."

Miyazato: "Whatever laid these eggs is still around. Notice how they are still wet? That means they were laid recently."

Joyo: "What do you suggest we do?"

Miyazato: "I'll use Tag and Trigger to open up one of these eggs so we can get a better look at what we're dealing with."

Miyazato's cursed technique is Tag and Trigger, which allows him to mark objects or people with cursed tags that he can use to trigger specific effects. This technique isn't inherently destructive but provides an array of versatile options depending on how Miyazato chooses to use it. For example, when Miyazato used Tag and Trigger against Joyo, he manifested a "PULL" tag, which sent him flying back with an invisible force.

The three carefully made their way down the platform, avoiding the fresh eggs. The smell was unbearable, and Shin barely managed to keep his composure while walking across the cave floor. They reached a random egg, and Miyazato knelt down. He raised his hand, and a flare of cursed energy formed, creating a small tag at his fingertips. Shin squinted, trying to read the faint kanji on the tag. It read "SEPARATE." Miyazato stuck the tag on the egg's skin and snapped his fingers. The egg suddenly split open, juices and oil splashing towards the three. Shin quickly tried to cover his face with his hands, but instead of feeling the liquids strike his hand, he uncovered his face to find that his infinity had returned, stopping the liquids from reaching him.

Shin observed the liquid in suspended animation, then released the technique, allowing the liquid to fall to the floor. He placed his right hand on his eyes, feeling the sensation of cold chains made of cursed energy no longer there, just the soft fabric of the blindfold. Slowly, he lowered his blindfold, revealing his glowing crystal-blue eyes. Principal Shaw must of released our binding vow... Thought Shin. Joyo and Miyazato looked back, stunned.

Joyo, surprised: "Holy crap! It's you! You're the American kid who was born with the Six Eyes!"

Miyazato: "We thought you were just a Gojo clan member who had Limitless."

Shin, confused: "I thought Yuji told you about me already."

Miyazato: "It would make sense why he didn't. He doesn't like talking about anything that includes his past, and that includes Satoru Gojo... well, your father."

At the mention of his name, Shin froze for a moment, closing his eyes in frustration.

Shin: "Please... don't mention that. It's a sore subject."

Joyo noticed Shin's sorrow, squinting in suspicion.

Miyazato, apologetic: "Oh, I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

Shin: "I-it's alright."

Their conversation was interrupted by a sloshing sound from the ripped-open egg. The three peered inside to find a newborn flyhead. It squirmed inside the egg, barely mustering the strength to breathe. Shin stared at the baby flyhead when suddenly, his Six Eyes sent a spike of adrenaline throughout his body. The flyhead jolted out of the egg, lunging toward Miyazato's face. He shrieked as Shin quickly shoved him out of the way, extending his hand and using Void Blue to freeze the flyhead in its tracks.

Miyazato fell to the ground, barely missing another flyhead egg. He observed Shin's glowing blue eyes as the flyhead desperately tried to fly away. Shin stared at the flyhead for a moment before effortlessly crushing it in his hands like a soda can. Purple blood ejected from the flyhead's crushed body, splashing the area around them. He let go of the crushed corpse, compressed to the size of a miniature water bottle. The flyhead crashed onto the ground, making a meaty sloshing sound as it hit the cave floor. Miyazato panted in fear as he slowly got back up, dusting off his uniform.

Miyazato: "Goodness, thank you for the save, Shin."

Miyazato adjusted his glasses, which had been displaced in his fall.

Shin, smiling: "No problem!"

Miyazato: "Think you can clear out the area?"

Shin pondered for a moment, covering his mouth with his hand.

Shin: "Maybe, but there's a good chance I'll overestimate my output and get all of us killed."

Miyazato: "I see, so let's use that as our ace in the hole for now."

Shin began looking around, trying to use his Six Eyes to locate the mother of these eggs. However, the energy readings from the numerous eggs made it difficult for him to pinpoint a singular mass of cursed energy. Combined with his inexperience using the Six Eyes, Shin came up empty-handed. He looked at Miyazato with frustration in his eyes.

Shin, frustrated: "There are too many eggs here. I can't locate the mother. Perhaps we can—"

Joyo, yelling: "Aghhhh! I'm bored! I'll shake up these eggs, and they'll force the mother out!"

Shin and Miyazato: "JOYO, NO!"

Before they had a chance to stop him, Joyo planted his palms on the floor and amplified his technique into the ground. Ripples of cursed energy sent shockwaves through the chamber, causing all the eggs attached to the cave walls to shake. The skin of the eggs began to tear, and from the eggs emerged newborn flyheads. They flew erratically around the cave, making a deafening screech that echoed throughout. Shin and Miyazato covered their ears, wincing in pain, while Joyo kept a proud smile on his face, placing his fists on his hips.

The flyheads began synchronizing their flight like a school of fish. The mass of cursed spirits flew deeper into a tunnel that connected to the chamber. As they went deeper, the screeching began to die down. Silence filled the cave, the only sound being the juices and oils dripping from the ceiling. Suddenly, several thunderous stomps grew louder and louder from the tunnel's deep end. Joyo heard this and began cackling.

Joyo, excited: "Ha-ha-ha! I was right again!"

Shin and Miyazato entered combat stances, preparing to fight whatever was coming. Joyo naively shouted into the tunnel.

Joyo: "DO YOUR WORST, YOU FILTHY—"

Suddenly, time appeared to slow down. Joyo's laughter echoed confidently, but it was cut short as a sudden, silky web shot from the darkness, striking him square in the chest. His eyes widened in surprise before he was violently flung backward, crashing into the wall with a sickening thud. Shin and Miyazato watched as Joyo was flung back several meters. The spider web dispersed, suspending him above the floor. As they regained their senses, Miyazato shined the light where Joyo had crash-landed, blood dripping down his face. He was unconscious, his head hanging low.

Shin's Six Eyes flared to life, detecting an immense mass of negative cursed energy looming directly ahead. A chilling dread seized him as he spun around, his breath hitching in his throat. His heart pounded like a drum, and for a moment, he was paralyzed by pure terror.

Frantically, he tapped on Miyazato's shoulder, his fingers trembling. As Miyazato turned, the beam of the flashlight swung with him, slicing through the thick darkness. The light fell upon a nightmarish sight, a gargantuan spider, its eight gleaming eyes reflecting the beam with an eerie glow. Each of its eight legs was as thick as a tree, covered in coarse, bristling hairs that seemed to move independently. Silvery threads of silk dripped from its wide mouth, pooling on the cavern floor like molten metal. The creature's exoskeleton shimmered with a sinister sheen, highlighting the sharp angles and spikes that adorned its massive form.

The spider emitted a bone-chilling screech, a sound so piercing it reverberated through the cavern walls. The sheer force of the sound waves caused the bioluminescent fungi clinging to the rocks to flare up, bathing the cave in a harsh, unnatural blue light. Shin felt the vibrations rattling in his chest, the oppressive atmosphere pressing down on them. The air was thick with the scent of rock and a faint, acidic smell that burned his nostrils.

Shin, shouting: "Miyazato, look out!"

It swung one of its massive legs, striking Miyazato and sending him flying backward. He landed hard on his back. The spider then swung its legs at Shin, but his infinity repelled them. The spider stumbled, unable to support itself as its legs were flung back. Quickly, it pounced back up, jumping to the ceiling of the cave. It began rapid-firing webs at Shin, but his infinity repelled each one. Shin planted his foot on the floor and leaped towards the spider on the ceiling, reeling his fist back to launch a straight punch.

Just before his punch connected, the spider skittered aside, clinging to the cave wall with uncanny speed. Shin's fist collided with solid rock, sending shards and dust exploding outward. As the dust settled, he yanked his arm out of the crater his impact had made. It's fast... My Six Eyes are telling me it's a cursed spirit, but could it be something else? Shin dropped to the floor, softening his landing with Blue. In turn, the spider pounced off the wall, crashing to the ground, causing large rocks to fall from the cave roof.

The spider charged at Shin, who retaliated by using Blue to pick up two large pieces of rock and hurl them at the creature. It jumped out of the way, but as it landed, Shin appeared behind it. He had used the rocks as bait to distract the spider, giving him an opportunity to sneak up on it. He slid under its belly, planting his hands on the ground. Imbuing his feet with cursed energy, he shot up, delivering a handstand kick straight to the spider's abdomen. The kick landed, sending the spider flying upwards. Shin spun around and got back on his feet, then pounced up and sent a fist into the same location as his kick. As the fist connected, the spider screeched in pain, pinned between Shin and the cave ceiling.

My God... This feels fantastic! I can see EVERYTHING! The sudden usage of Shin's Six Eyes caused them to adapt to the combat situation, allowing Shin to access more of their potential.

After pulling back his fist, he used Blue to fling the spider across the cave, his arms swaying where he sent it. It crashed on the other side, where large rocks from the ceiling fell onto it, drowning out its screeching. Shin landed on his feet, walking towards the spider's landing site. The rubble shifted as its body began to rise. The spider turned towards Shin, charging at him once more. Shin stopped in his tracks, waiting for the creature to reach him.

As the spider drew closer, it lost its balance, the damage to its abdomen immobilizing it. Right before it could reach Shin, it collapsed, the wind from its stampede blowing against Shin's hair and uniform. Once the dust settled, he looked back and saw Miyazato sitting upright, holding his head.

Shin: "Yo, Miyazato, you alright?"

Miyazato groaned in pain, patting around the floor for his glasses. He grabbed them and put them on, slowly regaining his blurry vision. He looked up to where Shin was calling him from, to the sight of a pair of glowing blue eyes, contrasting the bioluminescence of the cave. His heart skipped a beat as he stammered out his words.

Miyazato, coughing: "Y-yeah, just a bit disoriented. Is the spider dead?"

Shin, nodding: "Mhm, it's down for the count."

Miyazato: "Great... but did you exorcise it?"

Shin smiled nervously as he turned around to find the spider's corpse gone. He looked down, finding only a puddle of black goo where the spider had been, alongside its pincers. Shin stared at the pincers in confusion as Miyazato approached him, having moved away from where he had fallen. He observed the black goo, squinting as he knelt down.

Miyazato: "That's... odd. If this were a cursed spirit, it would've disintegrated in a fire. Instead, it melted... like how a shikigami would..."

At the mention of shikigami, Shin stared blankly at Miyazato. He immediately recalled what Principal Shaw had told him prior to leaving America: His cursed technique is unknown, and no records exist of him exhibiting it to anyone. What we do know is that he can conjure shape-shifting shikigami to deceive others. Shin's face turned to one of fear as he shouted at Miyazato.

Shin, fearful: "We need to get out of this cave, NOW!"

Suddenly, the cave began to shake, cracks forming on the floor beneath them. Rocks from the ceiling started falling. Shin rushed over to Miyazato and covered him, allowing the rocks to be repelled by his infinity. Beneath them, the cracks opened, revealing a sinkhole. They began running towards the entrance they had come through, but the sinkhole quickly expanded, swallowing them. They fell into the pit, screaming as they flailed. Shin extended his arms, using Void Blue to try to slow their descent. Abruptly, blood gushed from his nose—a consequence of using the Six Eyes for too long. His technique canceled out, rendering the effort futile.

The two crashed onto the floor, blacking out the moment they made contact.

End of Chapter 9