Osaka, Sawano High School.
Kanane Suzuki was a girl who attended this school. Some time ago, she had drowned in a suicide attempt.
Strangely, however, she had not died.
And deep within her soul, a long-haired beauty standing six feet three had suddenly appeared, seated on the Skeleton Throne.
The woman had fair skin, and her hair cascaded over the Skeleton Throne like a waterfall. Her eyes were like stars; a single glance into them inspired submission.
One look was all it took for Kanane Suzuki to lose herself completely. Her body became an incarnated vessel for Yamata no Great Serpent.
Yes, the woman on the Skeleton Throne was none other than the terrifying First King of Curses from the Heian Period-Yamata no Great Serpent.
"How long has it been?"
Now in control of this body, Yamata no Great Serpent gazed into the distance. She had yet to regain her full strength; this was merely the incarnated vessel of one serpent head.
The other seven heads were scattered across Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido. For the time being, finding those heads would be her priority.
"Sukuna, just you wait."
In mere moments, Yamata no Great Serpent's hair had grown past her hips. Bone-chilling cursed energy radiated from her body.
This was one of her cursed techniques: converting cursed energy into freezing Ice-Soul Water. Both her physical strength and her cursed energy inherently carried the power of cold.
In essence, its effect was similar to Hajime Kashimo's.
The window shattered, and Yamata no Great Serpent flew out of the tall building. Guided by her senses, she began searching for the remaining cursed objects.
Time flew, and before long, July 7 arrived.
Today was Naomitsu's birthday, as well as the wonderful day his cursed energy doubled. With only a few minutes left until noon, Naomitsu checked his cursed energy again.
[808234]
Although he had spent most of the year training, it had barely increased. From seven hundred eighty thousand, he had gained another twenty thousand, just barely reaching eight hundred thousand cursed energy.
"Doubling my cursed energy is still much faster! If I relied on training alone, I'd probably have to wait sixty-eight years like Itadori before I had a chance of surpassing Sukuna."
As Naomitsu let his thoughts wander, those last few minutes slipped by. The cursed energy digits above his head rolled one after another, doubling to a terrifying figure.
[1,616,468]
A full one million six hundred thousand cursed energy surged within him like a boundless lake. Yet before he could even savor it, the number began to drop.
[1,454,821]
Because of his binding vow, his cursed energy fell from one million six hundred thousand to one million four hundred thousand. A full two hundred thousand cursed energy-the further he progressed, the more he had to pay.
"Seven years old! Only four years left! Once those four years are over, my cursed energy will skyrocket! Then I can go all out to tame Mahoraga!"
Counting down the remaining time, Naomitsu showed a rare look of delight. All he needed was time. One day, both Gojo and Sukuna would be beneath his feet.
"I haven't gone out since coming home. It's time to visit Kyoto Jujutsu High. I seem to recall I still have six students, and Aoi Todo and the other two have their assessments at the end of the year."
With his birthday over and his cursed energy doubled, Naomitsu finally remembered his students at school. In a rather good mood, he decided to use those students to test his skills.
He stepped outside, sunlight spilling over his face. Smiling, Naomitsu prepared to set off for Kyoto Jujutsu High.
But as Naomitsu reached the bamboo grove in the courtyard, he heard angry insults.
"Useless trash without cursed energy! What right do you have to stay in our Zenin Clan? We should just throw you to the cursed spirits!"
"Hahaha! You're right, boss!"
"If you weren't Captain Jinichi's kid, we'd have killed you ages ago!"
Naomitsu froze. Jinichi Zenin was Toji Zenin's older brother. What had happened while he was away? Since when did Jinichi Zenin have a child?
Curious, Naomitsu approached. When he saw the disheveled, grimy girl, he stopped short.
The girl had long black hair and an adorable face. But she was covered in injuries, looking just like Toji had back then.
"Being born into this clan really is a tragedy."
Naomitsu walked over and gave each of the Hei members a kick. Just as they were about to lose their tempers, they realized who had struck them.
"Hehe, Young Master Naomitsu! It's you!"
"What brings you home, young master?"
Facing Naomitsu, the members of this elite unit put on entirely different faces. Naturally, it was his reputation that made them behave this way.
The entire clan now knew that Naomitsu Zenin was an unparalleled prodigy, second only to Satoru Gojo. The Zenin Clan's future would belong entirely to him.
Opposing him now would be asking for death.
"Get lost!" Naomitsu shot them a disgusted glance, unwilling to waste words on trash who bullied the weak.
This clan had rotted to its very roots. There was no familial affection left to speak of. Such behavior had passed down from generation to generation, and it was beyond reform.
Besides, Naomitsu could not be bothered to deal with it.
"Come on, little one. Get up."
After driving away that trash, Naomitsu reached out and helped the little girl to her feet. She looked a year younger than him, an adorable, delicate six-year-old.
"What's your name?"
Naomitsu smoothed her hair, then used his clothes to wipe her filthy face clean.
"Zhenwei Zenin... Do you not hate me, big brother...? I don't have any cursed energy... Father doesn't like me either..."
Though she was also a Heavenly Tyrant, Zhenwei Zenin lacked Maki's and Toji's fiery tempers. Perhaps because she had yet to mature, she seemed somewhat timid and insecure.
Naomitsu rested his hand on the little girl's head and shook his head.
"You're strong! They just can't see where your strength lies! Stay with me from now on. I won't let anyone bully you."
Zhenwei Zenin raised her head. The hand on her head felt so warm. Ever since her mother had killed herself, she had not felt such warmth in a long time.
"Big brother... Can I call you Big Brother Naomitsu?"
Naomitsu nodded, and the little girl immediately brightened. Her smile was adorable; she would surely grow into a beauty.
"Let's take you home!"
Holding Zhenwei Zenin's little hand, Naomitsu led her back to his courtyard. He called his mother over and asked her to bathe Zhenwei and take good care of her.
"Get some rest today. Starting tomorrow, I'll have Big Sister Maki train with you. You'll become very strong-so strong that no one will ever dare bully you again."
After offering Zhenwei some encouragement, Naomitsu waved goodbye.
Watching Naomitsu walk farther and farther away, Zhenwei leaned against the doorway, tears welling in her little eyes.
At her most desperate and helpless moment, Naomitsu had reached out to her, giving her hope and a reason to keep living.
To Naomitsu, it might have been nothing more than a casual act. But to Zhenwei Zenin, he had already become the most important person in her life.
"Big Brother Naomitsu! What Zhenwei wants even more is to protect you!"
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