บท 12: Black Palace
Across Japan, several temples existed that were rooted inside Jujutsu society. One of those temples was the Daihonzan Eiheiji monastery in the Fukui region prefecture and the current resting place of Sukuna's last finger.
After a 2 day trip, the trio found themselves present before the leading priest and grade 4 sorcerer of the monastery, Oki Takaba. Despite being in a high and holy position in the monastery he was surrounded by 4 women that fondeld his arms and sat at his legs.
[Takaba] Welcome to The Fukui Monastery! You will be here for a long while so make yourselves comfortable. We have prepared a sizeable feast for all of you so please eat.
First, a petite lacquer bowl is placed before each of them, cradling a clear broth that shimmers like liquid gold. The ichijiru, a delicate soup, whispers of the ocean with its essence of kombu and bonito, while tender morsels of tofu and wisps of fragrant herbs dance within its depths.
Next, the main dish, the shusai, emerges like a masterpiece on a ceramic plate. A fillet of grilled fish, adorned with a glaze of soy and mirin, glistens under the soft glow of lantern light. Its subtle aroma beckons me closer, promising a symphony of flavors with each succulent bite.
Two side dishes, the sidesai, complete the tableau, celebrating the bounty of the season. A vibrant medley of lightly dressed greens, kissed by the tang of rice vinegar, offers a refreshing contrast to the hearty warmth of simmered vegetables, bathed in a savory dashi broth.
Besides the main fare, a wooden rice bowl beckons, its contents a testament to simplicity and sustenance. Each grain of steamed rice is a canvas for flavor, ready to be savored alongside a bowl of miso soup, its umami-rich broth alive with the essence of fermented soybeans and delicate wisps of seaweed.
As they indulged in each exquisite course, they were transported by the artistry and mindfulness imbued in every dish. Each element harmonizes seamlessly, a testament to the reverence for nature and culinary craftsmanship that defines Japanese cuisine.
After that giant meal, they were given a tour of the whole temple by one of the Takabas' oldest daughters Mimihagi.
They were introduced to their main prayer and offering room where chants and prayers were constantly cast keeping both curses and evil spirits alike from ever entering the monastery. Next up were the separate barracks where they rested. And finally was the underground prison that was remodeled as a sealing room for the finger. It was surrounded around the clock by both grade 1 and 2 sorceres 24/7. No one could get in and no one could get out.
After the end of the tour, the three were finally given time to rest before the chaotic day they had tomorrow.
[Hagone] This place is terrifying. There are cobwebs everywhere it is as if no one even lives here?!
[Yukiko] Did you see that old guy? He looks so young for his age what kind of treatment does he get?
[Akumu] The Security here seems a little lax as well. They were mainly taught to fight with chants so if they are attacked by humans they should most certainly lose.. Something is off here.
[Hagone] What's that supposed to mean?
[Yukiko] I'm too tired to deal with this I'm going to sleep
Before Akumu knew it he was the only one left in the room. The other two had left to wander about somewhere leaving him behind. Akumu thinking how poor of a team leader he was looked out the window sighing at himself. It was then he noticed outside of the monastery walls hidden inside the great forest he saw a little boy crying. Akumu being a decent guy decided to quickly leave and find him.
The forest surrounded the whole monastery so searching made it tough. Even with the ability to sense cursed energy even small organisms made it hard to sense for specific people. However, after an hour or so Akumu was eventually able to find the little guy.
Suspiciously he wore one of the monasterys' uniforms.
"What are you doing out here little guy", Akumu asked. But the boy just kept crying. It was then that he sensed that he and the boy weren't alone. Akumu grabbing the boy quickly jumps away from his original spot using his black spring technique to land in one of the taller trees. Looking back on his original spot he saw that the area he once stood in was completely erased. A previously undetectable man then revealed himself.
An odd figure drenched in red robes and a hood stood before the two. he shook uncontrollably and spoke with an obvious stutter.
[???] If i don't kkkkk-kill that b-bbboy tttoday Mr. kkkKlad is might actually kkKK kil me
The two fighters made eye contact one last time before Akumu quickly moved away rapidly again. As he looked back to his old spot he saw that the area he once stood had once again been completely erased. This time the remains of the tree branch that he stood on collapsed.
Akumu quickly analyzed the situation. This must have been the work of the enemy's cursed technique, it was limited to only one area and thankfully not instantaneous. It required a sudden burst of cursed energy allowing any experienced sorcerer to dodge it before it could deal serious damage.
Now armed with this information akumu quickly puts the still crying boy down. He looked at him while patting him on the head stating "Everything will be okay"
The boy finally seeing the safety he was in finally calmed down.
[???] Aaaa-re Yyyyou fff-fucking with mmMe?
The now frustrated man quickly prepared to finish off the two boys however looking calm Akumu looked at the man and called out his new technique that he didn't get to use against Dojima.
[Akumu] Simple domain: Black Palace
What appeared to be an ordinary simple domain grew larger and larger until even the red robed man was inside it. The domain then dyed itself the color black as multiple black whips spread out and engulfed the man leaving his head exposed. The man was so shocked that it even cured his stutter.
[???] YOU COULD USE DOMAIN EXPANSION?
[Akumu] This is nowhere near the level of domain expansion, it's in fact just an ordinary simple domain with a little twist alongside it.
Akumu would then go to beat the man into unconsciousness until he was satisfied.
[Akumu] "Hey kid, what's your name?"
[Okiko] "Its Oki Okiko"
This kid turned out to be the youngest son of Oki Takaba.
[Akumu] "What are you doing out in the forest by yourself?"
[Okiko] "One of my fathers concubines brought me out here and left me behind"
Akumu quickly picked up the child and launched himself into the air again using the black spring. That was when he saw it, multiple cursed spirits hidden in the shadows prepared to attack both him and the child. It was nighttime, the point at which Cursed spirit activity was at its peak. Due to the presence of Sukunas finger, many low-grade cursed spirits had gathered around the area, However thanks to the endless stream of chants most of them had gathered in the forest where the little boy had been abandoned. That was when Akumu realised, someone in the temple had tried to assassinate Okiko.
Realizing he had left the robed assailant behind he turned back to see what happened to his unconscious body., however, it was too late. The man had already been consumed by the hundreds of grade 3 cursed spirits. He quickly headed back to the monastery before any more could show up, ordinarily Akumu would exorcise these spirits but since he was with a kid he couldn't take that risk.
Upon reaching back he had seen that the monastery was in a panic. Everyone had been frantically searching for something as one man screamed
[Monastary priest] WHERE IS THE YOUNGEST SON
The sloppy search party was halted when the Akumu made his presence known to the monastery
[High priest] YOUNG MASTER OKIKO
The priests were overjoyed at the young masters' survival. That was when His Father Takaba emerged from his "private" prayer room and immediately slapped him.
[Takaba] You stupid boy didn't I tell you to never leave that room?
He couldn't say anything. He simply apologized to his father before being escorted back into his bedroom. Takaba then spoke to Akumu, "You boy, gather your friends I have something Important that I must confess to you three tonight."
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