8 Stitches

[Author Note]

Shower thought.

Is Kenjaku considered a trap?

__________

Elsewhere

A man with short blonde hair was casually sitting down with a newspaper. He was a totally normal person you would see on the street. He didn't stand out from the crowd except for the odd stitches across his forehead.

One would question why he hasn't covered them up when a head injury is healing, but the stitches weren't there for that reason.

Behind him, standing still like a statue, was a white-haired person.

"Kenjaku."

In a melodic tone, the stitched man, known as Kenjaku, replied, "Hmm? Yes, Uraume?"

"May I ask why you are reading the newspaper for non-sorcerers?"

"Let me ask you a question instead. Why not? You don't need to worry. Almost all of the seeds have been planted. Things today are much different than they used to be; it's fascinating! I'm sure you know that the most."

With an ice-cold glare, Uraume replied, "Sukuna's vessel has yet to be created. You know I am only working with you to ensure his revival. I'll dispose of you if you become worthless to him."

Kenjaku glanced back, unworried at the threat. "*Sigh* I have a binding vow with him, so calm down. *mumble* the trouble I go through just for my plans."

Uraume didn't seem reassured. "Hmm, very well, but you know that if you wait too long and don't kill that Six Eyes brat, he will get in the way."

It appears that hit a nerve. "I killed one in the past, which didn't change anything. Besides, I'll have access to the prison realm if he becomes an issue. I'm not just going to sit around and lose again. Ah, that reminds me, have you heard of the Zenin boy?"

Uraume pondered before saying, "No, I don't think I have. In any era, I don't pay attention to nobodies."

"Well, this 'nobody' happens to be the clan's prodigy, even if he isn't the clan head anymore. Those stupid Zenin. A shame that one of the big three clans is blind to potential."

Uraume looked confused. "What does that have to do with anything, and how do you know that?"

Kenjaku smiled, "It just so happens the balance shifted when he was born. However, the Six Eyes boy Satoru Gojo was born on the same day, so it's hard to tell if the world was telling us something. I noticed and made a mental note of him when researching the new Six Eyes user."

"You don't seem convinced if you haven't discussed making plans to deal with him. You might not want to kill the Six Eyes brat, but you should have no issue disposing of some random Zenin child."

"Tell me, Uraume, why didn't you propose that you will go deal with him?"

Uraume immediately replied, "I have better things to worry about."

"While I would agree with you under normal circumstances, something about him intrigues me. Just in case, I'll create a failsafe if he also becomes a problem. He could be useful as a tool in the future. You never know when something that seems small might become a problem."

Back to Naohiro

Damnit, why does Ogi feel like a bigger issue than Kenjaku!? It's Ogi, of all people!

'clink'

With that sound, call it instinct, but I could tell my body had made me resist slashing attacks. I need one or two more, and I'm good. That's unless my guts get spilled out before that happens.

I see a slash coming diagonally from my shoulder, so I activate the technique I just learned.

"[Falling Blossom Emotion!]"

As the slash connects and digs into my shoulder, I feel the blade slow down and get bounced back due to the properties of Falling Blossom and my technique. Just a bit more until I can fold this man.

However...

...

...

'CLINK'

"I win... you son of a bitch!"

Mahoraga-chan would like to know your location.

My adaptation works in wonderful ways. As stated earlier, getting hit multiple times while keeping my technique active allows me to adapt continuously.

Since Ogi has only used basic swordsman techniques, they are ultimately slashes even in his Falling Blossom Emotion state. While he said that he wouldn't kill me, I have a feeling that the attack I was just hit by would do more damage than Naobito has ever done to me.

He comes in for another slash, and I attempt to dodge, but he uses his cursed energy in his sword, making it speed up and making me react too late. Instead of panicking like any normal person, I smirked as he unleashed a flurry of attacks to which he sheathed his sword.

Turning around, he ignored me, assuming I would get cut by six slashes like a typical anime swordsman. However, he realized something was wrong when he didn't hear me hit the floor, so he spun around to meet my fist one inch from his face.

"Wha-"

*BAM*

He got hit with the Naoya special.

Getting smashed into the floor, he could spin and dodge my next attack: a knee to the ground. While strong, I didn't have the same physical strength as a freshly awakened Maki.

Getting up with a broken nose and a bruised cheek, he gave me a nasty glare.

"So, your resistance in tandem with Falling Blossom Emotion allowed you to survive my attacks? I didn't think you would be great at using a new technique. It seems I underestimated you."

He was on track, but it wasn't my new anti-domain technique that kept me from getting slashed.

"Let's see you block this! [Blazing Courage]."

He was so much faster that I felt like a newborn trying to outrun a varsity athlete. I didn't even have a chance to put my guard up before he was right before me.

*KABOOM sizzle*

'clink'

*Haah*, too late.

One of the main weaknesses of the adaptation technique. If you can get one shot by a technique...you're screwed.

Everything went dark.