TW: Blood and Injury, and I think this qualifies as torture
A/N at the end of the chapter
CHAPTER 9
{POV: Suzue Kujou}
«Come on, don't tell me you need a hand… Kaede.»
Suzue lay on the cold, debris-littered ground, her body paralyzed with fear as Sukuna, now fully in control of Yuji's body, loomed over her. The oppressive weight of his presence pressed down on her, making it difficult to even breathe. The malicious grin that twisted Yuji's features sent shivers down her spine, a stark contrast to the boy's usual warmth and kindness.
The King of Curses reveled in her terror, his amusement palpable as he taunted her. The proximity of his voice, laced with sadistic glee, felt like a knife against her throat, ready to slice at the slightest provocation. She knew, with chilling certainty, that Sukuna was not merely mocking her for his own entertainment—he was savoring her fear, feeding off it like a predator playing with its prey before the kill.
As Sukuna walked past her, his movements slow and deliberate, Suzue's eyes remained locked on the shattered remains of the special-grade curse. Just moments ago, the creature had been a terrifying force, a symbol of the overwhelming danger she and the students faced. But in the blink of an eye, Sukuna had reduced it to nothing, his power far surpassing anything she had ever encountered. It was a brutal reminder of just how outmatched she was.
Her mind raced, searching desperately for a solution, a way to regain control of the situation, but every idea crumbled under the weight of her terror. How could she possibly stand against the King of Curses, who now held Yuji's body hostage? The boy had been the key to their hope, his resilience and strength a beacon in the darkness. But now, that hope was slipping away, devoured by the very curse they had sought to suppress.
"This… is a bigger mess than I thought. If Yuji doesn't regain control of his body soon, we're all dead."
With a monumental effort, Suzue forced herself to lift her gaze, daring to look at Sukuna's face. Yuji's features were twisted into a cruel mask, the cursed markings etching his skin in a way that made it clear who was in control. But it was the eyes—those additional, unnatural eyes—that sent another wave of dread through her. One of those slit-like eyes, filled with malevolent intelligence, shifted its gaze toward her, piercing through her very soul.
Suzue quickly averted her eyes, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She knew better than to meet Sukuna's gaze directly for too long. Even the smallest challenge could be enough to provoke him, and in her current state, she was in no condition to face his wrath. Yet, despite the overwhelming fear, part of her mind clung to the faint hope that Yuji was still in there somewhere, fighting to regain control.
The special-grade curse, now fully regenerated, lumbered to its feet with an almost pitiful lack of awareness. It seemed disoriented, as if it hadn't even processed the devastating blow that had reduced it to pieces just moments before. Suzue watched, her breath hitching as Sukuna turned his attention back to the curse, his expression a mix of boredom and disdain.
Sukuna's voice oozed with disdain as he dismissed the special-grade curse, comparing it to himself with a level of contempt that bordered on disgust. «You know, it's really humiliating that these sorcerers of this era consider us both special-grade curses. You and me… on the same level?» His words weren't intended for the curse; they were a self-directed commentary, a reminder to himself of the gap between them. The curse, incapable of grasping the depth of his contempt, stared back with empty malevolence, oblivious to the danger it faced.
Sukuna moved with a speed that defied comprehension. One moment he stood still, and the next, he was a blur of motion. The curse didn't even have time to react before Sukuna's fist connected with a force that shattered the air around them. The impact sent the curse hurtling through the air, crashing into the far wall with such ferocity that the structure buckled and collapsed, burying the curse under a mountain of rubble. It was as if Sukuna had swatted away a mere insect, his power overwhelming and absolute.
«You're weak. Die.» The words were spoken with a chilling finality, a statement of fact rather than a threat. Suzue's stomach churned at the sight before her. This wasn't a battle; it was a display of unrestrained dominance, a reminder of Sukuna's place at the apex of cursed power. The sheer ease with which he decimated the curse left no room for doubt—Sukuna was the undisputed king.
The smug, mocking expression she had anticipated was gone, replaced by a look of cold seriousness. His eyes, filled with an ancient, calculating intelligence, seemed to bore into her, as if he were studying her, weighing her worth. The sudden shift in his demeanor sent a new wave of unease through her. This was no longer just a game to him—there was something more behind those eyes, something Suzue couldn't quite decipher. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time, not just as a nuisance or a plaything, but as something more—something that required closer scrutiny.
The silence stretched between them, heavy and oppressive. Suzue's heart hammered in her chest, her body frozen in place by the weight of Sukuna's gaze. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to flee from the malevolent force that stood before her, but she was paralyzed, caught in the gravitational pull of his attention.
Just when the tension became unbearable, Sukuna tilted his head slightly, a small, almost imperceptible smile curving the edges of Yuji's mouth. It was a smile that promised nothing good, a prelude to something twisted. «I wonder-»
But before he could finish his thought, a sudden, terrifying presence loomed in front of Suzue. The special-grade curse, somehow regenerated and enraged, had lunged at her, bypassing Sukuna in a desperate bid to eliminate what it perceived as the weaker threat. Suzue's instincts screamed at her to move, but she knew it was too late; she had no time to defend herself. She closed her eyes, bracing for the impact that would surely end her life.
The blow never came.
When she opened her eyes, the curse was split in half, its dismembered body hovering inches from her, suspended in a gruesome tableau. Through the dismembered body, she saw Sukuna approaching slowly, his gaze still fixed on her, those...red eyes boring into her with an intensity that made her breath catch.
He reached down and grabbed the remnants of the curse, hurling them away with a casual flick of his wrist. The curse's body slammed into the wall once more, the impact so powerful that the stone crumbled and collapsed over it. Suzue couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of disbelief—had Sukuna just saved her? The very thought was absurd, yet there it was, an undeniable reality.
But the look Sukuna gave her as he turned back was far from comforting. His eyes, dark and unreadable, bore into her with a mixture of boredom and something far more dangerous—anger. Suzue felt a tremor of fear, realizing that in that moment, she was at the mercy of a being who had no qualms about toying with lives for his own amusement.
The special-grade curse, despite its repeated annihilation, was not ready to give up. It regenerated again, slower this time, but its determination had not waned. A guttural roar of rage echoed through the space as it rose to its feet, its twisted form bristling with fury and pain. Suzue watched, her body tense, as Sukuna moved to confront the curse once more. This time, however, there was no pretense of a fight.
With a simple, almost lazy flick of his wrist, Sukuna unleashed a wave of cursed energy that tore through the curse, ripping its form apart as if it were made of paper. Suzue felt a shiver of awe and horror as she witnessed the sheer power at his command. This was the King of Curses—a being so powerful that even the most fearsome curses were nothing more than playthings to him.
«Since you don't know what respect is, I think it's time to give you a demonstration of real power.» Sukuna's voice was calm, almost conversational, but the threat beneath it was palpable. The air around them seemed to thicken, the atmosphere charged with an oppressive energy that made Suzue's skin prickle with dread.
She knew what was coming. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, and she scrambled to prepare herself. Still half-lying on the ground, she began to concentrate her cursed energy, enveloping herself completely in a protective technique. Her survival instinct kicked into overdrive, urging her to move faster, to act before it was too late.
"Shit, shit, shit…!"
She forced herself to her knees, her hands trembling as she tried to focus. She had seconds, maybe less, to complete her technique before Sukuna unleashed his full power. The atmosphere around her was suffocating, the sheer weight of his cursed energy pressing down on her, making it difficult to breathe. She could feel the ground trembling beneath her as the cursed energy distorted the very air around them.
Sukuna formed a seal with his hands, his movements deliberate and precise. Suzue's heart pounded in her chest as she recognized what he was preparing to use. But nothing could have prepared her for the reality of it.
«Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine.»
The words, spoken with a mocking tone, seemed to reverberate through the air, carrying with them an overwhelming sense of dread. Suzue's mind raced as she struggled to complete her countermeasure, knowing that her life depended on it. The oppressive energy of Sukuna's domain pressed in on her from all sides, suffocating and inescapable.
"Falling Blossom Emotion"
The anti-domain technique was one of the few defenses she had learned within the Zenin clan, a last resort meant to protect against overwhelming power. She could only hope it would be enough to shield her from the King of Curses. As she activated the technique, she felt a barrier of cursed energy form around her, a protective cocoon that would, with luck, keep her alive.
The world around her twisted and distorted as Sukuna's domain took shape. The ground beneath her seemed to sink into an abyss, the structures around them warping and bending under the pressure of his cursed energy. A dark and macabre shrine materialized at the center of the room, its ominous presence dominating the space.
Suzue's heart raced as she focused all her energy on maintaining her defense, the effort draining her reserves at an alarming rate. She could feel Sukuna's gaze on her, watching her struggle with a mix of amusement and curiosity. But he didn't attack her. Instead, he turned his attention back to the curse, his expression shifting to one of pure malice.
Behind him, with inhuman speed, he struck the curse repeatedly, cutting it into smaller and smaller pieces. Suzue watched in stunned silence as the curse was reduced to nothing, its grotesque form disintegrating under the relentless assault of Sukuna's domain. The curse had no chance to defend itself, no hope of survival.
It was obliterated, leaving behind only a single, twisted finger—one of Sukuna's fingers, the very artifact that had brought Yuji into this nightmare.
"He had assimilated it? That explains the regenerative ability of that curse… although I don't think there's much left to regenerate now."
The realization hit her like a tidal wave. This entire battle, this massacre, had been nothing more than a game for Sukuna—a means to retrieve another piece of his power. And now, with the special-grade curse defeated, there was nothing standing between her and the King of Curses.
Sukuna, watching it disperse into nothingness, massaged his neck in boredom and couldn't hold back one last mocking comment.
«And to think I wanted to cut you into just three parts… You were even weaker than I thought.»
The domain that had held them in its oppressive grip finally dispersed, returning the prison to its original state—or what was left of it. The structure bore the scars of the intense battle it had hosted: crumbled walls, scorched surfaces, and a lingering sense of dread. The innate domain of the special-grade curse had also dissipated, leaving no trace of its once-threatening presence. This time, the curse was truly and definitively destroyed, its essence obliterated beyond any hope of regeneration.
Sukuna stood amidst the wreckage, gazing down at the remains with an expression that was hard to read—there was no triumph, only a hint of disappointment at how easily the curse had fallen. As if to punctuate his thoughts, he reached down, picked up the severed finger, and swallowed it without hesitation. The fourth finger now under his control, his dominance grew ever more apparent, and with each piece he reclaimed, the weight of his power became more undeniable.
As Sukuna's gaze shifted back to Suzue, a flicker of something crossed his crimson eyes—an emotion she couldn't quite place. Was it interest? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it sent a shiver down her spine. Her protective barrier, the only thing keeping her alive in the face of Sukuna's overwhelming power, was beginning to falter. The strain of maintaining it had drained her cursed energy, and she could feel her strength slipping away. She collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, her body trembling from exhaustion. She had survived Sukuna's domain, but now the true test began—surviving him.
As the adrenaline that had fueled her began to ebb away, Suzue's vision blurred. Her hands, once steady, now trembled as they pressed against the cold, debris-littered floor. She needed just a moment to collect herself, to gather the remnants of her strength. But she could feel Sukuna's presence looming closer, his footsteps deliberate and slow as he approached. The oppressive aura he exuded made it difficult for her to breathe, let alone think clearly.
Just as she was trying to steady herself, Suzue felt a sudden jolt—a sensation she recognized all too well. The world around her shifted, the present slipping away as she was pulled once again into a vision from the past.
The familiar voice echoed in her ears, startling her as she found herself once again trapped within Kaede's body, unable to move or speak on her own. The room around her was filled with attendants, their faces etched with fear and urgency. They scrambled to pack belongings into wooden crates, their movements frantic as if they were racing against time.
«Noble Kaede?»
«Noble Kaede, we need to get you out of here immediately! He… He's coming, you can't stay, it's dangerous!» One of the attendants, her voice quivering with desperation, rushed to Kaede's side, pleading with her to flee.
But Kaede remained unfazed. Suzue could feel the calm that radiated from within her, a stillness that contrasted sharply with the chaos around them. Kaede's voice, when she finally spoke, was devoid of emotion, chillingly flat.
«Dangerous? » she echoed, her tone sending a shiver down Suzue's spine. In previous visions, Kaede's voice had always carried an undercurrent of sadness or loneliness, but this time, it was as if she had become a void, an empty shell.
«I'm not worried. I'm not afraid of him, he won't hurt me.» Kaede's words were delivered with a certainty that stunned the attendant into silence. The woman's eyes widened in disbelief, her face paling as she tried to comprehend the meaning behind those words.
«Noble Kaede, please don't talk nonsense! That man… Sukuna knows no limits, you don't think he'll stop just because you're his—»
«He won't hurt me. He doesn't want to and he can't.»
Kaede's interruption was firm, brooking no argument. The attendant recoiled, visibly shaken, and bowed her head, trembling as she stepped back.
Kaede moved with a grace and composure that belied the urgency of the situation, her every action measured and deliberate. She sat down, her gaze shifting to the window framed by the delicate rice paper doors. Through the window, Suzue could see the outside world—flames licking at the sky, consuming everything in their path. The night was ablaze, the acrid smell of smoke filling the air, making it difficult to breathe. The crackling of the fire was the only sound that accompanied the scene, a haunting backdrop to Kaede's serene demeanor.
«My… children? » Kaede's voice softened slightly, a hint of emotion creeping in as she asked the question. Suzue could sense the faintest trace of concern, a rare crack in Kaede's otherwise impenetrable facade.
The attendant, still trembling, replied without lifting her gaze.
«They have already been moved to a safer place…»
Suzue's heart clenched as she took in the devastation outside, the flames devouring everything in their path. The sense of dread that had been building within her reached its peak as Kaede spoke again, her voice as calm as ever.
«Then I have no reason to leave. I'll stay here where he wants me to be.»
Suzue's entire body jolted as she was violently ripped from the vision, the pain in her stomach flaring to life as she found herself airborne, hurled across the room by Sukuna's merciless kick. The force of the impact sent her crashing into the ground, her body slamming against the cold, unforgiving surface with a sickening thud. The pain was immediate and intense, radiating through her entire being, as if every nerve in her body had been set alight. Breathing was a struggle, her chest constricting with each shallow gasp.
Sukuna's voice cut through the haze of pain, cold and mocking. «Got lost in your memories, Kaede? Thought you needed a reality check.»
His words dripped with contempt, the mocking tone twisting the knife of humiliation even deeper. Suzue's vision blurred as she fought to remain conscious, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth, a bitter reminder of her vulnerability. She struggled to push herself up, but her body, battered and bruised, refused to cooperate. The world around her spun, the disorientation making it nearly impossible to focus on the figure of Sukuna as he approached her with deliberate, menacing steps.
He leaned down, his face mere inches from hers, his red eyes gleaming with a sadistic glee that sent a shiver down her spine. Suzue could feel the coldness of his breath on her skin, the proximity of the King of Curses amplifying her fear. The cruel smirk on his face only deepened as he watched her struggle, reveling in her helplessness. She tried to move, to escape his grasp, but the pain was too intense. Every movement was agony, and her body seemed to betray her, refusing to obey her desperate commands.
With immense effort, Suzue managed to lift her head, meeting Sukuna's gaze. Yuji's eyes were still there, hidden behind the terrifying mask of the King of Curses, and for a fleeting moment, Suzue thought she saw a flicker of recognition, a glimmer of the boy she knew. But the moment passed quickly, replaced by a mocking, sadistic smile that crushed any hope she might have had.
«... Stop tormenting me with these visions. I'm not Kaede.» Suzue whispered, her voice trembling with desperation. She hoped, prayed, that the admission would somehow diminish his interest in her, that he would see her as less than the threat he seemed to perceive.
But Sukuna's reaction was far from what she had hoped. His eyes narrowed, and a cruel grin spread across his face, an expression that promised nothing but pain. Without warning, he grabbed her face, his nails digging into her cheeks with a brutality that made her gasp. Then, with a ferocity that left her breathless, he hurled her across the room like a ragdoll. Suzue's world tilted violently as she flew through the air, her body slamming into the ground once again, the impact rattling her bones.
This time, Suzue managed to react. As she tumbled toward the ground, instincts honed by years of survival kicked in, and she summoned a wall of fire, the flames erupting in front of her just in time to cushion her fall. The impact was still painful, her body screaming in protest, but the fire absorbed most of the force, allowing her to roll to the ground with minimal damage. She gasped for air, her body aching but still functional, as she struggled to rise.
«Huh? You think I give a shit about tormenting you with some random visions?» Sukuna's voice was eerily calm as he continued his slow approach, his eyes locked onto her.
Suzue forced herself to stand, her legs shaky but holding her weight. She could feel the trickle of blood running down her arm, a stark reminder of her vulnerability. Her hands trembled as she attempted to summon her cursed energy, willing the flames to form around her once more.
«What should I call you? Same face, same cursed energy... and just as pathetic. But you're right about one thing: you suck at controlling your cursed technique, not even close to your usual level.»
The insult cut deep, but Suzue had no time to dwell on it. The flames around her flickered weakly, her cursed energy drained from the relentless assault she had endured. But she couldn't afford to give up, not now. Not when her life—and Yuji's—hung in the balance.
The room was silent except for the sound of her blood dripping onto the floor, each drop echoing in the oppressive stillness. Sukuna's eyes flicked to the blood, his expression unreadable. For a brief moment, Suzue thought she saw something flicker in his gaze—interest, perhaps? Or was it something darker?
«Fix that shoulder, you're pathetic.»
His voice was filled with derision, as if the mere sight of her struggle was beneath him. Suzue gritted her teeth, forcing herself to concentrate the cursed energy in her hands. She summoned a pulsating ball of fire, the small crackling light of hope amidst the overwhelming darkness. With all the strength she could muster, Suzue hurled the fireball at Sukuna. The flaming sphere shot toward him, illuminating the path with an intense light. But Sukuna, with an almost casual movement, deflected the attack with a gesture of his hand, reducing the flame to an insignificant flicker that exploded against a distant wall, shaking the entire building.
«Oh. Wanna entertain me a bit? Let's see how long you can last!» His mocking tone, coupled with a smile that promised only torment, sent a chill through Suzue's heart.
In an instant, Sukuna launched forward with inhuman speed, disappearing from Suzue's sight only to reappear behind her a moment later. Before she could react, she felt a searing pain in her back, the force of his kick sending her flying several meters forward. Suzue landed hard, her body shaking from the impact, every breath a struggle as she tried to get up, knowing she couldn't afford to stay down.
The thin armor of flames she had created cushioned the blows but was far from enough against a monster like Sukuna. He was overpowering her with brute strength alone, not even using his cursed techniques. Suzue began to doubt her chances of coming out alive, her thoughts spiraling into despair
"He's playing with me. And he's enjoying it… He doesn't even give me time to counterattack, I can only stay on the defensive. At this rate…"
Another blow landed, this time to her side, making her roll across the floor like a broken doll. Sukuna moved with lethal precision, his attacks relentless, each one hitting its mark with terrifying accuracy.
Desperately, Suzue managed to create a barrier of fire around herself, hoping to gain a few seconds of respite. The flames flared up around her, a fragile protection against Sukuna's fury. But with a simple gesture, he dissipated the flames as if they were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
«Why don't you heal yourself? » Sukuna's voice was laced with disdain, his expression one of condescending curiosity. Then, a flash of realization crossed his eyes, followed by a cruel laugh.
«... You can't? You don't know how? For real? » His mocking laughter echoed through the room, each chuckle a dagger to Suzue's pride, as if he had found the entire situation absurdly amusing.
Suzue could only watch him, her mind reeling from the insult and the sheer powerlessness she felt. Overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness, she found herself absurdly trying to justify her own inadequacies.
«I… I only inherited the destructive aspect of this technique…»
Her admission seemed to amuse Sukuna even more. With a flash of anger, he grabbed Suzue by the neck and lifted her off the ground, squeezing with crushing force. Suzue struggled to breathe, her eyes desperately searching for a way out, but there was no escape from his iron grip.
As she fought to stay conscious, Suzue noticed something odd. A slight tremor was running through Sukuna's arm, the same one with which he was slowly choking her. It was almost imperceptible, but in her heightened state of fear, she noticed it.
«What are you talking about…» Sukuna hissed, bringing his face closer to hers, his voice dripping with venom. «... are you also stupid?»
Suzue's vision began to blur, the world around her fading into a haze of darkness. With the last of her strength, she concentrated her remaining cursed energy into her hands, summoning a desperate explosion of fire directly against Sukuna.
The flames erupted with unexpected force, engulfing them both in a fiery vortex. Sukuna was forced to release his grip, dropping Suzue to the ground. She collapsed to her knees, barely able to hold herself up as she gasped for air, her body trembling with the effort. Her concentration was faltering, the edges of her vision darkening as exhaustion took its toll. The fact that she had come out slightly burned herself was proof of her waning strength and control.
Suzue maintained a defensive stance, watching Sukuna rise amidst the dissipating smoke of the explosion. His expression was thoughtful, as if he were still mulling over her earlier words. He continued to observe her with that same unnerving intensity, as if she had just said the most nonsensical thing in the world.
His words, though meant as insults, forced Suzue to confront a bitter truth. The way he spoke to her, the disdain in his tone, made her realize just how little she truly understood her own cursed technique. She had inherited a power, yes, but she had never mastered it. And in the face of Sukuna's overwhelming strength, her inadequacies were laid bare for all to see.
Sukuna's attacks had been relentless but never fatal. He could have easily killed her multiple times, but he hadn't. The realization sent a shiver through Suzue, the implications of his restraint both terrifying and confusing. What was he planning? Why was he toying with her like this?
«You know, I think you're lacking a bit of spirit. Maybe I should help you find some motivation?» His voice was low, his tone dripping with malice. A playful smile spread across his face, one that sent a wave of dread through Suzue. «Have you, by any chance, lost two little students?»
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Suzue's heart stopped. She stared at him, trying to decipher his intentions, but his expression gave nothing away. Then, with a final, sinister smile, Sukuna simply vanished, leaving her alone in the now crumbling building.
For a few agonizing seconds, Suzue remained motionless, trying to piece together what had just happened. But when the realization of Sukuna's intentions hit her, a wave of despair washed over her, quickly followed by a renewed flame of determination.
She couldn't let him reach the students. She couldn't let this monster take any more lives. She had to move, had to find Megumi and Nobara before Sukuna did.
A/N
Another poorly written battle scene, I AM SORRY but the plot requires it! (๑•́ ₃ •̀๑)
Facts
-Suzue lived with the Zenin clan for over 10 years. Even though she didn't attend Jujutsu schools, she still underwent some individual training within the clan. So, it makes sense that she would have picked up *Falling Blossom Emotion* (which is canonically a technique passed down within the three great families). However, it's not thanks to that technique that she survives Sukuna's domain—she's not that strong—it's just that he really isn't targeting her.
-Sukuna is... Sukuna. Guys, he's still the King of Curses in the end—a sadistic, lunatic maniac. He plays psychological games with Suzue and knows exactly where to hit to destabilize her.
-What makes things difficult for Suzue isn't just that she's up against the King of Curses. At this point in the story, she's incredibly strong but still has room to get worse. But he's inside Yuji's body, and obviously, Suzue doesn't want to hurt Yuji, so she's basically just taking the hits. Also, the binding vow that was immobilizing her is still partially in effect.
So... poor girl.
And with this little bit of information, I'll leave you! ❤️