Cursed | Ryomen Sukuna & Gojo Satoru

(13) Outskirts

Kasaii and Yuji made their way through the deserted streets towards an abandoned factory.

This outskirt of Tokyo city had fallen silent, the usual sounds of urban life replaced by an eerie stillness. The morning sky was overcast, casting the world below in a blanket of gray, broken only by the occasional flickering of a street lamp.

They had been given the only two cases of possible special-grade curses in or near Tokyo, hoping to determine if they will use the same escape technique as Mahito and Jogo— and this was the first location.

As they approached the factory, the structure emerged from the distance, its towering silhouette outlined against the gloomy sky. Rust and decay marked its facade, indicating a time of neglect. Vines crept up the walls, reclaiming the space that once buzzed with activity. The scent of damp earth and metal lingered in the air, mingling with the faint, acrid smell of machinery long past its prime.

Kasaii glanced at Yuji, her expression stern but reassuring. "Stay close. This place is crawling with weaker curses. They're your job. I'll handle the special grade."

Yuji nodded, his resolve unwavering. "Got it, Sensei. I'll be ready."

They approached the factory cautiously, the ominous feeling growing stronger with each step. They entered the decaying structure, the air starting to become thick with cursed energy. "Be on guard," she whispered to Yuji.

Suddenly, a tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows. It was a large, tan, with branches where its eyes should have been, and a huge cloth covering its left arm and shoulder.

"Hello!" Kasaii exclaimed, narrowing her eyes.

The curse, looking like it was born from the fear of land-based natural disasters, stood before them, its gaze fixed on Kasaii, silent and menacing.

"What's your name?" Kasaii asked, trying to gain more information.

Hanami remained silent, its eyes narrowing as it sized her up.

"I suppose you're not one for conversation."

Without warning, it lunged at Kasaii, its movements swift and deadly.

Kasaii reacted instantly, her Sharingan activating as she dodged the attack with ease, "Ara-ara, chat with me first."

Yuji watched from the sidelines, he could see Kasaii's quick evasions, her Sharingan predicting Hanami's attacks with uncanny accuracy.

Hanami's attacks were relentless, its branches whipping through the air. Kasaii countered each strike with a mixture of taijutsu and ninjutsu, her every movement efficient without her eyes ever leaving the opponent— not even once. She knew her surroundings like it was the back of her hand despite having only been in the area for, more or less, 5 minutes.

"Yuji, stay alert!" she called out, her voice steady even in the midst of battle.

Yuji's eyes scanned the surroundings, his senses heightened. He noticed a group of smaller curses converging on their position. "Sensei, we've got company!" he shouted, preparing to engage the new threats.

Kasaii nodded, her focus still on Hanami. "Handle them!"

As Yuji launched himself at the incoming curses, Kasaii intensified her assault. She used a barrage of fire-based attacks, and blue flames erupted around her. The heat and light forced Hanami to retreat momentarily, giving Kasaii a brief respite.

Hanami roared in frustration, its cloth-covered arm unfurling to reveal a massive, thorn-covered limb. It swung the limb towards Kasaii with tremendous force, the walls cracking where the hit landed.