"Sasaki-san!" I limped over to Toji's body as Suguru carried Riko toward me.
"Still alive?" I kicked Toji's foot and caught his eyes glancing at me from beneath his matted hair.
"…Fuck…" I snorted, noting he wasn't bisected—he'd used that spear dagger as a shield against his chest.
"Freakish monster…" I muttered, making him chuckle despite the pain. He winced and I sighed, seeing the question and acceptance on his face.
"I'm not going to kill you. I'm done with that shit—for a while, at least."
Suguru and Riko arrived, both glaring at Toji. He looked back up at the ceiling and stared limping toward the kids. I used Suguru as a crutch once I was close enough.
"Forget him. Let's get out of here."
The reluctance on Suguru's face was clear, but with both Riko and me injured, he nodded and helped us. Riko glanced at me.
"U-uhm—"
Riko was cut off as I raised my hand and stretched it over Suguru's shoulder to rest gently on Riko's head.
"I'm sure there are many things you want to say, Riko-san... but let's just sit in silence for a moment. I'm a little tired."
Just speaking took all my strength not to puke up my guts. Riko seemed to realize I truly wasn't in the mood and nodded.
The moment didn't last long. As we walked through the hallway and into the elevator, Suguru leaned me against the wall and held Riko.
"Satoru is dead."
I looked at him, noticing his clenched fists and the hate burning in his eyes.
"If that brat's anything like his ancestors, he'll still be alive." I said, wincing as a few ribs rubbed painfully against my lungs.
Suguru looked at me, questions in his eyes, but before he could speak, the elevator reached our floor—and waiting was a tearful Kuroi.
"Riko-chan!"
Suguru barely had time to let go of Riko before Kuroi grabbed her and checked her over.
"Seems you're stuck looking after an old geezer."
I coughed it out, causing Suguru to sigh as he wrapped my arm around his shoulder.
"I'll need a shower..." he mumbled.
As we walked along the tiled path, I took in the fresh mountain air.
'Feels nice, right Kaede?' I thought, looking up at a Torii gate.
My eyes widened at a tall bloody white haired teen standing and staring up at the sky.
"Suguru."
He turned to me, and I pointed to where I was looking. He almost dropped Riko.
"Sat—"
I pushed Suguru toward Kuroi and Riko.
"Something's off... Suguru, Kuroi, get back."
That gut feeling I'd had since Okinawa hadn't faded. I knew this had to be why.
"Sasaki Souta."
It was barely a mumble but echoed across the area. The Gojo kid looked directly at me, golden rays of light shining down upon him.
"I poured all my focus into the Reverse Cursed Technique as I was stabbed by that man!"
I frowned and ripped off my tattered black dress shirt, stuffing it into my kidney and liver wound.
"Cursed energy is negative. It can't regenerate a wound. But multiply that energy against itself, and you create positive energy—that's the Reverse Cursed Technique, Souta!"
I saw the concern in Suguru and the others' eyes, but I couldn't help but notice the look in his—he was high.
Not in the typical drugged sense, but the sheer elation of reaching something you've longed for, strived for.
And in this state, I knew someone like him needed an outlet—something to prove what he sought was right.
Raising my hand, I extended two fingers, running a flicker of Cursed Energy through them, ignoring the sting against my skin from my unstable condition.
"Cursed Slash."
A small three foot sword arc sliced through the air toward the Gojo kid. Though the others yelled at what I did, I wasn't concerned—and was proven right when he evaded, hovering in mid-air, the golden rays around him intensifying.
He turned midair, looked down at me, struck a weird pose with one hand behind his head and the other near his waist and uttered words that made me frown.
"Throughout Heaven and Earth,
I alone am the Honored One."
His voice was silent but heavy with conviction—words so ridiculous they almost sounded insane, yet I knew he not only believed them, but those around him subconsciously thought the same.
"That so, kid?"
Cracking my neck, I grinned. For the first time in centuries, I took a step that shook Japan.
"Cursed Technique: Third Step."
The ground trembled as Cursed Energy rolled off me in waves, splitting the earth beneath us. Dark purple and red Cursed Energy erupted from the fissure and surged toward the Gojo kid, who smiled widely.
"Yes! Yes!" he yelled.
Just as the energy approached, it stopped and flowed around him, repelled by his Limitless technique. I clicked my tongue at the sharp throb of pain coursing through my body and the rapidly bleeding wound I'd stuffed. Pouring my remaining lifespan and Cursed Energy into my hands, I blitzed forward and aimed a palm strike at his chest.
I wasn't sure who was more surprised when the blow connected—sending him flying back.
'Not the time to think on that. The kid needs more.'
I followed after him, but stopped as he landed before me—bloodier than before but smiling wider—with his fingers stretched toward me, a small red orb glowing at their tips.
"Shit." I cursed as he uttered the technique's name.
"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red."
I pushed every ounce of Cursed Energy I could muster without collapsing, bracing myself with my arms and stomach. The red orb slammed into my forearms, sending me flying back, crashing hard into a building.
I collapsed as the technique faded, hacking up mouthfuls of blood and wincing as fresh blood poured from my wounds.
'I feel like I'm done for.'
Groaning, I looked up through the dust. The Gojo kid stood, arms outstretched, looking up at the sky.
"Ha… hahaha!" he laughed, as if someone had just told him the funniest joke. Then he stared back down at me.
"I don't know why I never pieced together that, with how your Cursed Energy was, you were actually Sasaki Souta! Someone who was feared in the Heian Period to the point where Sorcerers erased your information!"
Using the cracked wall as support, I slid up and stood, cracking my back—then wincing as a rib pierced my lung, making every breath a struggle.
"But…"
He combed his hair back with his fingers, revealing the scar Toji must've left. Then I noticed the look he gave me—pity.
"You're so weak."
I smiled, blood dripping from my teeth.
"That so, kid? Yet as of this moment, I stand the strongest."
That pity shifted to confusion, then pure arrogance. I understood why those emotions appeared. I smiled—not out of pride or joy, but acceptance.
"So come, Gojo Satoru."
I pushed my battered body once more, probably for the last time, to its limit. Cursed Energy visibly erupted from me, corrupting the very ground beneath me.
"Prove that a new generation has started!"
With a roar, the others collapsed to the ground. I poured Cursed Energy into my raised right hand, as Gojo's technique already began.
Blood poured from my nose as I started my own.
"The Gap Between Within and Without!"
Two small orbs—one blue, one red—formed near Gojo's fingers.
"Scale of the Dragon!"
They merged, bathing the area in a deep purple light.
"Imaginary Technique: Purple."
I was too late.
-
"Ryou, do you love me?"
I looked down at the pregnant woman stitching one of my kimonos.
"When I first met you? Nope."
She paused and looked up at me, those beautiful honey colored eyes locking with mine.
"I wanted to kill you for not giving me the money I was owed."
I sighed and pressed my lips gently to her forehead, feeling the warmth and breathing in her scent.
I leaned back as she spoke again.
"What made you stop wanting to kill your future wife?"
I snorted before answering.
"Your bravery to confront your father. Your determination to make me yours."
She chuckled softly and I closed my eyes at the sound, warmth flooding through me in her presence.
"Well, I'm glad my husband wasn't completely an idiot."
I hummed in response and opened my eyes just as she turned around, placing her small hands gently on either side of my face.
"Ryou."
I tilted my head, gazing into her eyes.
"Don't stop now."
Without a word, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. But she kept speaking.
"There are people who need you... people you can't help but miss."
I rested my head in the crook of her neck, breathing her in.
"Ryou, I know it hurts to keep going. I want nothing more than for us to stay like this, but we both know now isn't the time."
Part of me wanted her to stop talking and just stay here with me, but I knew she was right.
"Ryou, I know that at the end of everything, you'll come back for me—and for them."
With a deep sigh, I pulled away from her neck.
"Kaede… I'm tired… I—"
Her soft lips met mine. I leaned into the kiss but it didn't last long before she pulled back and stood.
"Ryou, I know you'll never forget me. And you know we'll be waiting."
I looked down at my worn hands before clenching them tightly as an image of a small white haired child flashed through my mind.
"When I come back and the kids are older..."
I stood and towered over my wife.
"You and I are going to have to make up for lost time."
She blushed and pushed me away, nudging me toward a door that opened into a bright white light.
"Pervert! All you men are the same, I swear!"
I chuckled softly, closing my eyes.
-
Sharp pain, dull and cold spread through my body. I opened my eyes and looked down—where my heart once was, now a giant gap yawned. Blood poured from the empty space.
I looked up as a faint feminine scream pierced the air.
'R-right…'
I saw Gojo land and look at me. I chuckled, raising my hand though my body wobbled. I tensed to stop myself from falling over.
"Cursed World Slash."
A small one foot arc of dark red and purple energy erupted from my hand, slashing straight through Gojo's Limitless defense. Before he could react, the slash tore through his left shoulder and neck.
"Ryou-san!"
My hand dropped as the world dimmed. I saw Riko rushing toward me with Suguru heading to Gojo.
"Satoru."
The name barely escaped my lips as Riko stood before me. Satoru looked up, his high state fading, shock grounding him.
"That punch… from earlier… you let me, right?"
I didn't need to see the nod to know I was right.
The world dimmed further, until sight no longer greeted me.
"…Riko… at the… base of the… mountain… there's a gift for… you…"
Her cries vanished from my hearing as it slipped away.
I took a deep breath of the mountain air, the last I would take in this world.