Yūji looked down even with the Six Eyes activated, incredulous that Satori had died so easily… it is understandable after understanding his expansion, after all Sukuna was only playing with him, more than anything analyzing his attack methods and the way the curse wanted to execute chakra by innovating it with his CE
When he closed his eyes to deactivate the Six Eyes, his once beautiful and serene eyes became reddish again, but the white part inside them filled with blood, his eyelids opened abruptly and his eyes became tiny, pupils so small that they revealed the agonizing pain that began stabbing every part of his body, he coughed violently and blood gushed from his mouth, but not only from there, blood poured from his tear ducts, his ears and his nose, he did not escape bleeding despite having no wound.
He felt such agonizing pain that it left him paralyzed, his body reacted as if it wanted to die to stop that pain, but of course, he cannot do it.
Feeling as something damaged his soul, he remained trembling and bleeding, despite wanting to use RCT, it did not heal his soul, even though it felt eternal it was only less than a second, his vision blurred and he could no longer remain on the base that Suiren had made to keep him suspended in midair. His sight shifted from blurry to deep darkness from the pain, Sukuna was not here to help him, he had to endure that pain in that moment.
Suiren, seeing how Yūji had reacted, the curse screamed for him and launched directly, she was going to devour what little was left of the bird but seeing how Yūji was falling unable to stay up made her react quickly, she caught Yūji in midair as if he were the most delicate thing, more delicate than a living being, hugging him and making him feel comforted " Yūji ! Yūji , are you all right? Yūji ! " Suiren held him and pulled him inside her body wanting to heal him with her reverse cursed technique, but it seemed nothing worked, a few minutes passed until Yūji finally gave a response.
The red-haired boy finally managed to move his limbs, he had gone into shock, his body wanted to die in that brief moment, but he controlled it, it was the most horrible sensation he had ever felt, now he understands why Sukuna said that if he used the Six Eyes without joining that fragment in some way, they would destroy and harm him instead of doing him good, Yūji lifted his head which he could barely hold up, however he did not want his friend to have a crisis because of him " Sui … I'm fine, it was just … a momentary shock, don't worry " he whispered softly, caressing that gelatinous base of what is Sui.
The curse relaxed upon hearing him, so she carefully released Yūji, holding him with what would be her arms wanting to see if he could stand, when she saw that he could, she kept studying him.
" What are you staring at? I'm perfectly fine, relax … I fought hard to kill that thing, come on, you have to take that curse, I don't know what attracted you to it, but I'm sure it's something important " she offered him a gentle friendly smile, the traces of blood dissolved when Suiren drew him inside her body, leaving him clean of any dirt.
Although he considered telling her about Sukuna, for now he continued keeping it, blatantly lying that he had fought Satori.
Suiren blinked after hearing how Yūji let her continue, she did not disobey, and when she approached Satori and that great curse, the beast lay on the ground, and with that, Suiren's body expanded again, trapping both curse fragments with her.
When she did, all the inmates who had not moved remained expectant and fearful, dreading that thing could rise and kill them all once and for all.
It is the greatest danger they have noticed, very similar to a tailed beast, perhaps because of its level of destruction, but the biggest surprise has been that boy who now has a big smile seeing how Suiren can dissolve Satori's body.
Yūji noticed how Satori's body released white particles, so pure and with blue glints, what he noted is that the white and blue could be chakra, and it is too much chakra that Suiren is absorbing, but she also released purple and greenish crumbs, which could be the CE that basically could have belonged to him.
But most importantly, Suiren ate a curse, he does not know if that can affect the cycle as it did in Japan, since this time it is not pure CE.
But when Suiren completely undid Satori's body, despite not having the Six Eyes to verify, his being felt it.
Suiren's Chakra … is now enormous that he can feel it in the air.
" Yūji … I feel tired, I want to sleep, I'm going to sleep with you, I don't want to be far from you " he heard her speak, it was abrupt since the boy could barely react in that moment, all of Suiren's massive water body vanished and entered directly into his shadow, something he did not expect, he wanted to ask what had changed in her, but maybe she is adapting to that.
" ah … y-yes, Sui, relax, rest " he murmured softly even though the curse was no longer there, this time he sighed, so much has happened in these weeks that he still can't process the birth of a curse that he himself said had struggled so long to be born and failed, until he arrived.
And now, it had finally died, where he was standing he directed his gaze to that box, seeing that the man who extracted his Chakra and CE stood before it, however he did not notice malicious intent, on the contrary, he looked … disappointed. He scratched his nape since the fight's end felt anticlimactic, he did not enjoy fighting before, maybe merging with Sukuna mixed a bit his own experience of battle and fury itself?
" this really was so unexpected " he whispered lightly moving his face in a negative state, but he gave a renewed leap toward the prisoners and when he landed in front of everyone, they immediately directed their gaze at him, Yūji was startled to see how everyone without exception looked at him, something that made him blink.
" ah … did you at least survive? " he did not know what else to say, actually, he thought many would not be saved, he knew only those he somewhat appreciated would be because of their trained bodies and what they told him were elite ninjas, but seeing so many people alive is not really bad, but it is a surprise to him.
He fell into a sepulchral silence, a silence that to Yūji felt uncomfortable, he twisted his mouth solemnly, when he wanted to open it to say more, he heard everyone chanting a word he himself did not believe he heard
" Yūji saved us! he is a hero! "
" he did it, he finished that demon! " another inmate shouted, even in tears from the emotion of being alive, despite many having died from the destruction he himself caused, what does it matter? the important thing is that they could save themselves!
Yūji opened his eyes in surprise hearing the loud cheering " ah, I, no, fools! I didn't want to save you… actually… " when he tried to explain none of the inmates paid attention, in the end he sighed to offer an embarrassed smile knowing it really wasn't his intention, in part they owe it to Suiren, despite him saying to hold as many people as possible, she was the one who decided.
Daigo, seeing no prison remained, slowly slipped forward to stand before the boy, Yūji seeing him there gave a big smile, he knew Mr. Daigo and everyone he knows are strong " Sir Daigo! I knew you would not perish, I am very glad it wasn't so " the red-haired boy was sincere, spending time with them, indisputable as he is, he ended up warming to them a bit.
Daigo simply exhaled a small laugh, narrowing his greenish eyes " that thing controlled us with our fears, but since your invocation saved us, I saw how you faced that monster, unlike me who froze from memories … you fought, and not only that, you committed to saving us … I know I said I didn't want to leave because I was disappointed and didn't want to see what the world had become … but seeing your determination and how you have fought at such a young age makes me question if it is the right thing "
Yūji opened his eyes wide hearing the words of the dark-skinned man, lifting his face only to look at him properly " you, Sir Daigo, do you mean that? "
" I feel that Hōzuki Castle will become an obstacle from now on, instead of a place to live, although, there is nothing left! haha! " his laugh was thunderous and hit the boy in the back, knocking some air out of him, knowing perfectly it was Yūji who destroyed the castle, Yūji emitted a groan but in the end laughed just the same.
But he also saw how everyone he knew approached, congratulating him for his bravery in facing that unknown thing, and in the end the cheers subsided since not only did the inmates survive, the majority, excluding Yūji, had thought that those who ran the prison such as the high-ranking officers and Mui had died, but to his surprise Mui had not died.
It was comical to witness how the weakest inmates looked at their chests to view Mui's seal that never disappeared.
The long black cloak with burns and tattered in many parts, Mui with that dead face remained before the boy, unlike before, Daigo also stayed very close to the boy, a difference from when he was alone, this time he wanted to protect the boy in his own way.
A sepulchral silence, only for Mui to finally speak sincere words, no longer so apathetic
" I… owe you… everything " Mui whispered, narrowing his eyes, finally closing them tightly, he knelt before the boy to be level with him, Yūji was moved by what the man did. " if it were not for you, I would have made the worst mistake of my life … I could have caused the fall of Kusagakure, everyone could have died, the villagers … my son " he bowed his head feeling deeply grateful to Yūji, no longer acting arrogant and cold.
He pressed his hands together making himself smaller than Yūji by being fully kneeling with his body forward, something that made the boy feel uncomfortable under Mui's attention… yes, it really was not his intention to save anyone this time.
" opening that box did not grant any wish, if you had never been here, that thing would still be unleashed and all of us would have perished, we would have no chance … you have all my gratitude, anything I can offer you, I will grant it " Mui was sincere, seeing the terrible mistake and how it could have been worse than just Hōzuki Castle's disappearance was something that deeply affected him, and for that, he feels indebted to that boy.
Yūji pressed his mouth, yes, after all like any person, Mui also has something he loves and wants to protect, in the end he sighed to place his hand on the man's damaged and putrid cheek, that white gelatinous form emitting a unique glow made Mui open his eyes in surprise and see Yūji.
The boy only healed the wound he himself caused with his blood, the corrosion and that putrid appearance was removed from Mui, as if he had never been harmed. For the man, he felt a warmth traverse him, it was not chakra that healed him, it felt different, it was a more unique and more powerful form than chakra itself when ninjutsu is used to heal.
" you must not worry, I simply did what I had to do, don't overthink it, will you stand? It's… strange that you are on the ground, it's uncomfortable " he did not know how to behave really, Mui gave a slight smile that although not so marked, his mouth corners rose.
The man obeyed and sighed to see how the inmates planned to flee.
" you still have the seals, if you go far from me you will die burned, how many times do I have to tell you? "
" it's… true " one spoke dejectedly, basically they were free, but if they moved away from Mui they would die.
The boy seeing that everything was open, felt a bit guilty, although Sukuna did it, it is his fault for being so extravagant.
" boy! boy! that was incredible! " Yūji heard a voice that made him turn back, already with an irritated expression, he had been praised so much this time, it was stressing him a bit.
In the end he realized it was the first boy he met when Mui locked him up, what was his name again? ah! Genshō Ryūdōin.
Could it be he still would not recognize him? He doesn't blame him, he was very different when he transformed into his former self, Yūji gave a marked smile " Genshō, right? "
" that is incredible! I saw you cast that jutsu, it was so impactful! I want to learn it! Who was your teacher? don't be jealous I want to become someone like you! Although it seems you are five years younger than me, it doesn't matter! you're incredible friend! " Genshō gushed, those blue eyes had such a bright glow in their pupils, clasping his hands
" well I… planned to leave from here, there's no problem right, huh, Mui? " Yūji addressed the man, Mui snorted discreetly without erasing his smile
" your punishment was only to infiltrate Hōzuki Castle, do you still see the castle? "
" that makes a lot of sense, do you see it Genshō? I will leave, I can't teach you much, actually, I don't think you can learn that technique because… uh… " he didn't know how to get out of that, he looked around until he remembered the word his sensei Konan used when she showed blood manipulation " it's a Kekkei Genkai! "
Genshō's smile vanished with a sigh " I knew that so much power had to come from somewhere, talent shows "
Mui lightly rubbed his chin " a Kekkei Genkai … who would have thought that in these times the extinct Uzumaki clan could produce such a powerful child? " it was a whisper, but a whisper that Yūji heard causing his curiosity, recalling something those masked men spoke.
" what is the Uzumaki clan? when you had me under that underground place I heard one of the animal masks say I was an Uzumaki do you know where I might find more like me? " Yūji asked with curiosity, mainly because he had his mother's box very well sealed, a type of seal he did not believe possible to break, Mui looked at him in surprise.
" you didn't know you were an Uzumaki? That is a surprise "
" well I… nobody told me, and I think my sister didn't know either " he said the last part to himself.
" the Uzumaki clan was a very powerful clan in its time, they possessed the most powerful sealing techniques in the ninja world, and had three unique Kekkei Genkai of the Uzumaki clan, Adamantine Chains, Kagura's Eye, and bite-based healing chakra … at this moment I would have no doubt that they would be one of the most powerful and influential clans in the entire ninja era … however, many years ago they perished, the Third Ninja War wiped them out, and I understand that Kumo gained most of their sealing techniques … they attacked the Land of Whirlpools, and nothing remained, I cannot also help you find survivors because no one knows where they are, it seems incredible to find one who is you so free " Mui was sincere in his explanation. Yūji frowned, he imagined it, his sister had said many with red hair could be coveted.
But hearing about a place that once existed to him, the Land of Whirlpools, caught his attention " do you know where the Land of Whirlpools was located before? I want to know because I think it… could help me, if you don't know that's fine too " he smiled slightly, Mui didn't mind, maybe the boy was seeking his origins.
" I have a complete map, I could help you … but I don't have it here, you will have to accompany me to the village so I can provide it " Mui explained, and Yūji nodded, with that the man looked at the few guards left, who had mixed in among the prisoners " grab all the inmates and take them from what remains of the castle, I will send a request to the Five Nations to help us financially and above all with what happened " of course, excluding the fact they had unleashed something they believed would give them power to rule them all.
It would be very bad to tell something similar.
The inmates upon hearing did not move, they simply stood still, having the tattoo itself did not guarantee them life, what else could they do?
Yūji looked at Daigo and then at Genshō, he felt guilty with the boy since he had seemed depressed, recalling how he had promised to let him out but his escape was ruined, and Mr. Daigo seemed to have changed his mind.
He feels the sting of helping, so he stopped Mui who seemed to want to guide him to Kusagakure " a-ah, Mui, I wanted to ask you something … "
" sure, tell me what you need " this time he behaved kindly unlike before.
" I… w-would like you to release these two people " he was direct, Genshō was surprised, but Daigo looked at him curiously
" them two? " Mui glanced at Genshō, he did not remember him, possibly he was not someone highly sought and in need of specific protection, and then looked at Daigo, with him, he really had to think whether to do it, it was a strict order from the Fourth Raikage, he wouldn't want him to get mad and stop supplying " I could do it with the boy, but with him … "
Daigo understood instantly, he simply smiled confidently " don't worry, any threat that arises, just tell them I will pay a visit "
Mui felt a bit of sweat on his brow, who wants to face the Raikage? But then he looked at the red-haired boy, it would be hypocritical to refuse, in the end he has no choice, he let out a big sigh to bring his hands close to the albino youngster and the man " release "
It was all he needed to say to retract the seal on both, Genshō touched his chest in disbelief, and Daigo felt how the chakra he had been restrained for so long felt renewed, recalling his earlier sad loss, but it was because it was a memory that had gnawed at him before.
This time it will not happen.
Daigo looked at his right hand that without seals manifested some lightning nature chakra, Yūji saw that in surprise " Sir Daigo, you wield Raiton? "
" of course, otherwise I would never be a Kumo ninja " he smiled proudly, ceasing the manifestation of lightning.
" I have fulfilled my part, now come with me to Kusagakure, I will give you a map that can help you " Mui smiled calmly seeing how Yūji appeared renewed.
Yūji before following Mui stopped halfway to turn behind, finding the boys he had bonded with " don't you want to leave here? " it was a curious question, since when he said he wanted Mui to release Mr. Daigo and Genshō from the seal he said it out loud, but to his surprise, the others did not want to.
Chouko, Hisa, Makai, Takai, at least they are the only ones he cares about.
The twins looked at him amused " leave when we saw how powerful you are for a child? We are already old sacks, we believe we cannot go on, besides, we don't have as much luck as Daigo " Makai spoke for his twin playfully
Yūji then turned to Hisa, who wiped her nose " if I stay here in the end I will still have a place to stay and some routine fights without having to face high-ranking foes, although, I will miss having another fight with you " she smiled very playfully causing Yūji to laugh nervously, yes, well, she is the first person he has faced that almost turned into a direct mortal battle.
And finally he looked at Chouko, noticing those unique eyes, he gave her a soft analytical look, to finally give a very coy smile " your aura no longer emanates discord, at last it is in harmony, I suppose you have realized all your mistakes at the right moment "
" that … yes, yes, but you still haven't answered my question " he scratched his hair in embarrassment
" I hate wars and fights, I don't need to leave here " she calmly shook her head.
He supposes she is right, and she was another person who had most told him she hates war, with that Yūji smiled determinedly, something that made Chouko judge him lightly " very soon wars and fights will end, you can bet on it "
When Yūji headed straight for Mui who seemed to wait for him, although he veered off to fetch his belongings so far away that he had left when he wanted to infiltrate Hōzuki Castle, Chouko only smiled " I suppose you are right, because you have something that many do not know, something unique that in the future can be of great help … you will be someone great, Itadori Yūji, no … you are no longer him, now you are Uzumaki Yūji " she said that last part to herself, something neither his friends knew nor understood, Chouko is the strangest of the group.
He did not hear the last because the boy was far from the area, as he reached Mui having retrieved his things, strangely his scroll did not break, however he supposes it is because of what is inside " then we can leave " the man nodded.
When Mui began to move, the boy followed closely, but the red-haired boy did not expect Mr. Daigo to begin following him, which surprised him, he thought the man would take a solitary path, but that he was alongside him and gave him a big smile surprised him " Mr. Daigo, I thought you would take a different direction "
" stop calling me sir, I don't deserve it knowing you are as strong or stronger than those I know, call me Daigo, and well, I've noticed that wherever you go you always bring surprises, I wanted to go out and explore the world again, but with you … I feel it will be very fun " he let out a deep laugh which made Yūji feel happy.
And also turning behind, he saw the pale-haired boy trying to catch up to them at a tolerable pace " I also want to accompany you! I don't know why you freed me, but I will repay you with my loyalty " the boy spoke loudly which made Yūji break out in a drop of sweat, he forgot this is very similar to an ancient era of Japan
" yes, well, I suppose it's o- "
" I WILL NOT FAIL YOU, BOSS! " Genshō shouted excited at not being separated, Yūji only let out a discreet laugh, well, he might not be someone boring.
Has he been gathering followers? Will he have to form a group?
Unwittingly his smile remains, now he will only obtain the map and see what to do next, but the shape of his origins gives him some unease, he feels something has been missing in him.
Touching the scroll in hand where his mother's object lies.