Cursed | Ryomen Sukuna & Gojo Satoru

(6) Mission

Days turned into weeks, and under Kasaii's rigorous training, Yuji's transformation was remarkable.

His movements became more fluid, his control over his cursed energy more precise. He grew stronger, faster, and more resilient with each passing day. The once clumsy and unrefined boy was becoming a proper sorcerer now, honing his skills with a dedication that impressed even his seniors.

After all, Kasaii's teaching style was strict but fair. She demanded excellence and gave nothing less herself. Each session was meticulously thought out— pushing Yuji to his limits but never beyond what she knew he could handle. Despite her tough exterior, Yuji sensed her genuine concern for his well-being and her belief in his potential. Her harshness was tempered by moments of kindness— a quiet word of encouragement or a subtle nod of approval that already spoke volumes for the young and impressionable kid.

One crisp morning, after weeks of training, Kasaii stood before Yuji at the training grounds like she did every day before this. The air was cool, and the ground was covered in a light frost that crunched under their feet. There was a hint of pride in her eyes that made Yuji stand a little taller.

"Yuji," she began, her voice steady, "It's time to put your training to the test."

Yuji felt a surge of excitement and nerves. He had been anticipating this moment, but now that it was here, he couldn't help but feel a flutter of anxiety. "What do you have in mind, Kasaii-Sensei?"

"We're going on a mission," Kasaii replied. "You'll be handling it on your own. I won't interfere unless absolutely necessary."

Yuji's eyes widened. "Great! What's the mission?"

Kasaii handed him a small, folded piece of paper. "A cursed spirit has been suspected at the nearby high school. It has caused multiple students to mysteriously disappear."

Yuji unfolded the paper, his mind racing with the details. Defeating a cursed spirit alone was no small feat, but he felt ready. The weeks of intense training had prepared him enough. "I understand," he said, determination in his voice.

Kasaii nodded approvingly. "Just stay calm and focused. No student of mine is weak."

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Kasaii led Yuji to an area of the city closed by a cursed barrier, inside the school building stood, its windows boarded up and the area desolate. It had been closed down for investigation, and the air around it was thick with cursed energy, a palpable sense of dread hanging over the place like a dark cloud.

"This is likely a Grade 2 threat," Kasaii explained, her voice steady and calm. "You should be able to handle this in 30 minutes. I'll be waiting outside. Don't worry, I can sense everything."

Yuji took a deep breath, readying himself for the task ahead. He had faced grueling circumstances during training, but this was different. This was real.

He nodded to Kasaii, a stern look in his eyes. "I won't let you down, Kasaii-sensei!"

Kasaii gave a small, encouraging smile, her eyes reflecting the confidence she had in him. "I know you won't. Now, go."

Yuji stepped forward, pushing open the creaky door of the building. As he entered, the temperature seemed to drop, and the light from outside quickly faded. The inside was eerily silent, the only sound being his own footsteps echoing down the empty hallways.

He reached out with his senses, trying to pinpoint the source of the cursed energy. It was strong, pulsating from deep within the school, leading him towards what used to be the gymnasium. The closer he got, the heavier the air became, making it difficult to breathe. Finally, he reached the gymnasium's entrance. He paused for a moment, taking another deep breath before entering.

The scene inside was even more unsettling. The gym was in shambles, debris scattered across the floor, and the air thick with a sinister presence. In the center of the room stood the cursed spirit— a grotesque, towering figure with twisted limbs and glowing green eyes that seemed to bore into his soul.

The spirit let out a low growl, its presence menacing. However, Yuji didn't hesitate. He focused his cursed energy, feeling it surge through his body, and charged at the spirit. His movements were swift, each strike aimed to weaken the spirit and disrupt its form. It fought back fiercely, its attacks wild and powerful, but Yuji dodged and countered, his body moving on instinct.

Outside, Kasaii sat vigilantly, her senses finely attuned to the energy fluctuations within the building. Each surge of cursed energy felt like a heartbeat, she could sense the intensity of the battle, each ebb and flow of Yuji's familiar power making her pride swell.

Back inside, Yuji fought with everything he had. The creature's relentless attacks began to slow, its movements growing sluggish under the onslaught of his punches. Sensing an opening, Yuji summoned all his strength, channeling his cursed energy into a final, decisive blow— Black Flash.

With a powerful strike, he shattered the creature's core, banishing it in a burst that dissipated into the air. Breathing heavily, the oppressive atmosphere had lifted, replaced by a sense of accomplishment. He had done it.

He had faced a real cursed spirit alone and emerged victorious.

As Yuji exited the building, the early evening sun cast long shadows across the ground. He found Kasaii waiting, her expression unreadable but her eyes showing lots of pride. She gave him a clap of approval and a rare but genuine smile playing on her lips. "21 minutes! Good job, kid. You handled that well."

Yuji smiled back, the fatigue of the battle giving way to a sense of relief. "Thanks, sensei."

Kasaii placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch reassuring the kid of his capabilities. "Come. I'll treat you to some ramen."

However, as Kasaii and Yuji began to leave the school, Kasaii's senses pricked.

"Tch," Kasaii clicked her tongue in frustration. She turned to Yuji, her expression stern. "Yuji, just watch from afar. I'll deal with this one."

Yuji was confused, "What? Sensei—" he began, concern etched across his face.

"Just do what I say," Kasaii cut him off sharply, her eyes narrowing.

Reluctantly, Yuji nodded and moved to a safe distance, his eyes never leaving his teacher. His heart pound in his chest with worry. He hated the idea of standing by while someone else faced danger, but he wasn't ready for a special grade— not yet— he would only get in the way.

Kasaii, her senses on high alert, waited for the spirit to approach, "Come."

The air grew colder, the energy growing stronger, but she remained unfazed. The presence of the curse was dark and foreboding— a thick, suffocating miasma.

Taking a deep breath, Kasaii's chakra flared to life, a powerful aura surrounding her. Energy strong enough to make the dust beneath her feet disperse, and the branches high up the trees bend away. It was tantalizing to watch someone glow with the kind of energy Yuji had never felt before. And as he watched her, he knew. He finally figured out why everyone called her the strongest, along with Gojo.

Training with Kasaii, he noticed things most people overlook.

How her steps, even in gravel and dust, barely made a sound or left debris. How her breathing could barely be seen in her rising chest. How she was somewhere and nowhere in just a split second. How she managed to train from dawn until dusk, barely breaking a sweat.

But most of all, how he never once sensed any cursed energy coming from her.

He thought it was just him— that maybe he was just not good enough yet to actually sense— or maybe she was just that skilled at suppressing it.

But now he knew why she was always so different. So... revered yet feared.

Now he came to know... The Last Uchiha.