The sunset sky burned like hot iron, painting the field in shades of orange and purple. A fierce wind swept through, carrying dust and dry leaves that swirled between us—me
(Tora, 6 years old) and my three opponents: Ren (8), Sora (10), and Yuno (12). At the edge of the field, my older brother Toshiro (9) sat perched on a large rock, his sharp eyes watching intently, while Geno (14), the referee with his distinct yellow hair and black robe resembling a young sorcerer, stood firmly at the center.
When I saw the referee, my memory flashed back—how Geno had once protected Grandma Ogami with everything he had from an attack by Takuma Ino, a loyal subordinate of Nanami. Even though Toji Fushiguro was later resurrected and defeated Ino, Geno's loyalty was commendable.
"Huh… So this Geno is the one brainwashed by Grandma Ogami, willing to do anything to protect her. Just how deep does the brainwashing go?"
I muttered under my breath. If not for his signature haircut and that bright yellow hair, I might not have recognized him.
I dragged my shoe across the ground, feeling cursed energy surge from my soles through my body. Blue energy flickered along my arms like tiny flames.
"Two weeks of waiting… finally."
Ren, the buzzcut boy with a smug grin, stepped forward. "Hah, fighting a runt like you? Piece of cake!"
Geno raised his hand.
"Round One: Tora vs. Ren!"
"Remember: only fists, kicks, and raw cursed energy. Weapons or cursed techniques are—" He shot a sharp glance at Tora. "—instant disqualification."
Ren didn't even bother with a stance. He lunged forward, his first kick hardening with cursed energy as it aimed for my head.
"DIE, BRAT—!"
But I didn't dodge.
I took a deep breath.
And just before his foot connected—
I VANISHED.
"Huh?!"
Ren didn't realize I'd already crouched low until—
THUD!
My right fist, exploding with cursed energy, slammed into his solar plexus.
"GAAAK—!"
Ren's eyes bulged, spit flying from his mouth. His body lifted off the ground before crumpling like a broken doll.
Geno immediately raised a flag.
"REN DOWN! TORA WINS ROUND ONE!"
Ren writhed, clutching his stomach. "W-Why… how…?"
Toshiro sighed from the sidelines. "Idiot."
Sora, the next to step up, shook his head. "Ren, you underestimated him."
---
**Round 2: Tora vs. Sora**
The field was still dusty, the wind hissing through dry leaves. Sora, the 10-year-old with icy composure, stepped forward. Unlike Ren, he didn't underestimate me. His eyes tracked my every move, his stance flawless.
Geno signaled.
"ROUND TWO: TORA VS. SORA!"
I relaxed my shoulders, a smirk playing on my lips. To win, I needed to rattle him.
"Heh, so you're stronger than Ren? Cute… but still just a kid with a big ego," I taunted, raising an eyebrow.
Sora didn't react.
Hmm… not enough.
I fake-yawned. "After seeing Ren lose, I thought you'd quit. Guess you're into humiliation?"
Sora gritted his teeth. "You think tricking Ren means you can beat me? Moron."
There. Hooked.
"Ren lost 'cause he underestimated me. But you? You're dumber for thinking you'd win." I grinned, then deliberately turned my back. "Three seconds to surrender before you end up like Ren."
"You little—!" Sora snapped, charging blindly.
Perfect.
His punch came fast, cursed energy hardening his fist—but his anger made it predictable.
I pivoted at the last second.
"Too slow."
CRACK!
My fist connected with his chin, cursed energy blasting him backward.
"SORA DOWN! TORA WINS ROUND TWO!" Geno announced.
Sora spat, his face red. "You cheated! All talk!"
I shrugged. "Skill issue."
---
**Round 3: Tora vs. Yuno**
Yuno, the oldest at 12, stood unnervingly calm. Unlike the others, his face betrayed nothing.
Geno signaled.
"FINAL ROUND: TORA VS. YUNO!"
I exhaled. This'd be tougher.
But… I had one last card to play.
"Yuno, 12 years old and still bullying little kids? Pathetic," I jeered.
No reaction.
"Or… maybe you only pick fights with younger kids? Is that why you're targeting me?"
Still nothing.
Damn, tough crowd.
I grinned suddenly. "Wait—don't tell me you've only been hunting Grade 3 and 4 curses while bragging about 'helping' defeat a Grade 2. Bet you just cried like babies waiting for Grandma Ogami to clean up."
His eyelid twitched.
Bullseye.
Toshiro burst out laughing outside the field. "Tora's roasting you! Crying like babies—HAH!"
"Shut up!" Yuno's voice cracked, fists shaking. "You know nothing!"
Bingo.
He attacked in a blind rage, his kick charged with cursed energy—but his form was sloppy.
I sidestepped.
"Too bad, Yuno. You can't beat high-grade curses if you lose your cool."
WHAM!
My energy-wrapped kick smashed into his ribs, sending him down.
"YUNO DOWN! TORA WINS ROUND THREE!"
Geno raised his hand, eyeing me with faint approval. "Winner… TORA!"
Toshiro nodded. "Good job. Psychological warfare."
I wiped my brow. Three opponents, three wins.
But… something told me this was just the beginning.
I paused, lost in thought. Soon, I'll need to prepare to claim Toji Fushiguro's body. How strong will he be as a shikigami?
Aahhh, I'm trembling with anticipation. What power will I gain? Toji has no cursed energy, so what's the benefit?
---
Ren, Sora, and Yuno lay sprawled on the ground, seething. I whistled, strolling over.
"Well? Remember your promise?"
Sora groaned. "What promise, you little—"
"LITTLE BRAT!"
A shrill voice cut through the air.
Everyone froze.
From the trees emerged a tiny figure, her wooden cane thumping with each step. Grandma Ogami.
Her dark eyes gleamed like a hawk's. Despite her frail frame, her aura silenced even Yuno.
"REN, SORA, YUNO!" she screeched. "LOSING TO A 6-YEAR-OLD? DISGRACEFUL!"
Ren kowtowed. "H-He cheated!"
"SILENCE!" Her cane struck the ground, cracking the earth beneath Ren. "Three months of laundry duty!"
Sora and Yuno paled. "T-Three months?!"
She smirked. "Make it a year?"
"NO, GRANDMA! THREE MONTHS IS FINE!"
I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Toshiro failed to hide his grin. Geno just sighed.
Grandma Ogami turned to me, her gaze softer.
"Tora, you won today. But stay humble—keep training."
I nodded. "Yes, Grandma!"
As she left, Ren collapsed. "Three months of laundry… my hands'll wrinkle!"
Sora stared blankly at the sky. "This is all your fault, Tora…"
I smirked at Toshiro and Geno. "Well, at least they'll think twice before messing with me."
Geno nodded. "Stay alert. They might seek revenge."
Toshiro patted my shoulder. "If they do, we'll handle it. For now… let's go home."
"Yeah."
As my rivals lamented their laundry doom, I sprinted down the path, victory humming in my veins.