Whispers of the Black Flame

The chill of the night clung to me as I crouched on the rooftop, my gaze fixed on the abandoned industrial zone below. This mission wasn't supposed to require my involvement—just quiet observation from the shadows. Nanami had made that painfully clear: "Stay hidden. Do not interfere."

But I knew better than anyone that plans like these rarely stayed clean. The oppressive aura of cursed energy surrounding the area was too intense to ignore. Even from here, I could feel my cursed technique stirring faintly, responding instinctively to the malice that saturated the air.

Below me, Nanami and Yuji entered the warehouse. Nanami, as precise and stoic as ever, moved with practiced ease, his blunt sword at the ready. Yuji followed close behind, the eagerness in his steps betraying his inexperience.

"You sure about this place, Nanami?" Yuji's voice echoed faintly, carrying just enough for me to hear.

"Always trust cursed energy readings," Nanami replied curtly.

Classic Nanami. I smirked slightly.

As they disappeared into the building, I tensed. My cursed energy flickered uncomfortably. Something wasn't right. And then I felt it.

A sharp, invasive presence pricked at the edges of my mind, cold and calculated.

"Well, well. What do we have here?"

The voice was unmistakable. Low, gravelly, and dripping with amusement.

Sukuna.

My breath hitched, and I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain still. He wasn't here physically—he couldn't be—but the weight of his voice in my head was suffocating.

"A little watchdog hiding in the shadows," he mused. "And with such an interesting cursed technique. I must say, you've caught my attention, girl."

"Stay out of my head," I hissed under my breath, careful not to draw Nanami or Yuji's attention below.

Sukuna's laughter was low and menacing. "Oh, but why would I? Your technique—it's raw, incomplete. But it has... potential. Do you even know the power you're toying with? Or are you as blind as the rest of them?"

"You know nothing about me," I snapped quietly, my voice sharp but controlled.

"Ah, but I do," he countered smoothly. "Kurayami Clan, isn't it? Or what's left of it."

The mention of my clan made my blood run cold. He knew. Of course, he did.

Kurayami Clan (暗闇)

Meaning: "Darkness."

Significance: A straightforward yet powerful name that evokes fear and respect. The Kurayami Clan would be known for their mastery of forbidden, dangerous sealing techniques and their deep connection to cursed energy.

"You'll never live up to them," Sukuna said, his tone almost playful. "But that's what makes this so fun. Watching you try."

Before I could respond, his presence withdrew as quickly as it had come, leaving only a faint echo of his mocking laughter in my mind.

Nanami's voice crackled in my earpiece. "Everything's clear on this end. No sign of grade 1 curses yet. Maintain your position."

"Roger that," I replied, my voice steady despite the storm raging in my head.

From my perch, I spotted Nanami and Yuji engaging with a curse inside the warehouse. It was a grotesque creature—a mass of limbs and snarling teeth. Nanami's precise strikes cut through it with ease, while Yuji's raw strength sent tremors through the floor.

But the curse wasn't going down easily. It split into smaller forms, darting around like shadows in the dark.

One of the fragments slipped past them, heading straight for Yuji.

Amateurs.

I dropped from the rafters, landing soundlessly between Yuji and the curse. My hooded jacket flared slightly with the motion, and the glint of my black combat boots caught the dim light.

"Move," I said curtly, pushing Yuji aside with one hand.

Golden seals flared to life from my outstretched palm, wrapping around the curse in an instant. It writhed and screeched, but my technique held firm. With a flick of my wrist, the seals constricted, obliterating the creature in a burst of light.

Yuji stared at me, wide-eyed. "Who—"

"Focus, Itadori," Nanami barked, cutting him off. His gaze shifted to me, his expression unreadable. "You weren't supposed to be here."

"I'm cleaning up your mess," I replied coolly, letting the remnants of my seals dissolve into sparks.

"This isn't your mission."

"Consider it a favor," I said, brushing past him. "You're welcome."

Outside, Nanami cornered me.

"You were supposed to stay out of sight," he said, his tone low and controlled.

"Relax," I replied, leaning against the wall. "Gojo won't know."

"He will if you keep pulling stunts like this."

"He won't," I said simply. "And it's not like you had everything under control."

Before Nanami could respond, Yuji approached hesitantly. "Uh, excuse me? Who are you?"

I turned to him, the shadows of my hood obscuring most of my face. "Someone making sure you don't get yourself killed," I said bluntly.

"But—"

"Enough," Nanami interrupted. "Itadori, leave it. Let's go."

Yuji hesitated, glancing between us before reluctantly following Nanami.

As their footsteps faded, I leaned against the wall, exhaling slowly. Sukuna's voice rumbled in the back of my mind, his tone dripping with amusement.

Impressive, he mused. That technique of yours... it's incomplete, but I can see the potential. Far more interesting than that brat's punches.

"Not interested," I muttered under my breath.

Oh, you will be, he replied, his laughter echoing in my head. I always get what I want.

I shook off his voice, my gaze drifting to the moonlit sky. For tonight, the mission was over. But I had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time I'd cross paths with Yuji—or Sukuna.