IGNITE | Sukuna

Chapter 6: Angelic Intervention

Satsuki opened his eyes slowly in the dimly lit prayer room. The first rays of morning crept through the high windows, casting a soft glow on the floor. He stole a glance at his father sitting across the room in silent meditation. The king looked well enough, despite the sourness that had plagued their stomachs after last night’s feast. Bad meat, the servants had claimed—an unfortunate accident, but Satsuki knew better.

Sukuna.

The name alone made his blood boil.

He clenched his jaw, hands tightening in his lap as anger festered. Ever since they were children, he had been taught to despise his brother. The cursed one, the disgrace of the Ryomen bloodline. But as they had grown older, Satsuki realized his hatred wasn't simply learned; it had become something deeper. Something personal.

Sukuna was always better. Better at hunting, better at archery, better with his cursed technique. No matter how hard Satsuki trained, how much he tried to prove his worth, Sukuna was always a step ahead. A shadow looming over him.

And last night had been proof of it. Satsuki was certain Sukuna had orchestrated the entire thing. Swapping the boar, taking the slaves, and serving the best meat to himself in secret. It was all part of his cruel little game.

After the prayer ended, Satsuki stood, offering a formal bow to his father. With a polite farewell, he left the room, though his mind was far from peaceful. Last night's events continued to swirl in his thoughts like a storm he couldn’t escape. His brow furrowed as he walked, the heavy fabric of his royal robes trailing behind him.

He needed to take action—starting with the guards and the royal sorcerers. They were useless. How could they let a mere intruder slip past them, let alone a girl? Satsuki’s mind replayed the encounter, that fleeting moment when he locked eyes with her.

Those eyes.

They were unforgettable—an eerie violet, like the flash of thunder against a blackened sky. As the crown prince, Satsuki had seen many women, all with their own beauty, their own charms. But this was different.

He hadn’t felt attraction or admiration when he looked at her. He had felt fear. Pure, unadulterated fear. It was as if those dark eyes held the promise of his destruction, the power to consume everything he was.

When she struck him, he hadn’t been prepared. It wasn’t just the surprise of her attack, but the force behind it. No ordinary girl could possess such cursed energy. His guards had scrambled to apprehend her, but before they could even react, a curse materialized from thin air and attacked them, giving her ample time to escape.

Two thoughts plagued him now.

Where had that curse come from? The Imperial Palace was fortified by Tengen’s veil at all times, making it nearly impossible for curses to break through.

But the second thought was more troubling: Who was she?

“Your Highness, your thinking is very loud.”

A hand clasped his shoulder, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. Satsuki glanced behind him and met the eyes of his trusted friend, Noritoshi Kamo, the future head of the Kamo clan. The prince hadn’t realized his feet had carried him to the royal training grounds.

“Have you found any information?”

“None whatsoever,” Noritoshi replied, his expression grim. “Whoever intruded removed all traces of cursed residuals. They're either highly skilled or had inside help.”

Satsuki cursed under his breath. “No one should be able to manipulate their cursed energy like that inside the palace.”

"Do you think—"