The air outside the shrine was sharp and cold, the ground crusted with frost that crunched under their sandals.
Roy trailed half a step behind Geto, eyes flicking left and right as though an escape route might suddenly appear between the skeletal trees.
Of course, there was none.
Curses slithered between the branches, invisible threads pulling them along at Geto's whim.
They never strayed far, never let Roy out of their ring.
It was like walking inside the belly of a beast.
Geto, meanwhile, walked calmly, hands folded in his sleeves as though on a stroll through a temple garden.
His voice broke the silence without effort, deep and steady.
"You're quiet today."
Roy forced the grin again, even though it felt heavy on his face.
"Sorry, my bad. Not exactly sure what small talk's appropriate when your captor's taking you on a field trip."
Geto chuckled under his breath.
"You remind me of someone… too much bravado to mask the fear. But unlike him, you don't let the fear control you. You bend it. Use it."
Roy snorted, kicking a loose stone from the path.
"Yeah, well, it's either that or start screaming and begging. Not really my style."
For a moment, silence again. Then Geto tilted his head, studying him.
"You're different from Gojo. That much is clear."
Roy stiffened but tried to play it off.
"Guess everyone's different from that guy. Six Eyes, Infinity, the whole package. I'm just some kid."
"No,"
Geto said, tone sharper this time.
"That's what he wants you to believe. But you're not just a kid. He sees it too, that's why he took you in. You're valuable. Dangerous, even."
Roy's grin faltered for a second, his throat tightening.
"…Dangerous, huh? Funny. Don't feel like it."
Geto stopped walking, turning his head slightly.
The curses paused too, shadows freezing mid slither.
His eyes caught Roy's in the cold air, calm but piercing.
"That's because you've only begun to master your technique."
After a long stretch of silence, Roy spoke, softer this time.
"…Why me? You could've grabbed anyone. There's gotta be stronger kids out there."
Geto's smile was faint, but it never reached his eyes.
"Stronger, yes. But strength isn't everything. You have something rarer. A soul that's… fluid. A will that bends without breaking. You've survived circumstances that would have shattered others. That makes you precious."
Roy clenched his fists, biting back the urge to snap at him.
Every word felt like a hook sinking deeper into him, and he hated it.
Still, he kept the grin plastered on.
"You talk like I'm a collectible."
"In a way, you are,"
Geto said smoothly.
"But I don't collect things to keep them locked away. I nurture them. Help them bloom."
The path finally opened into a clearing, a dead meadow ringed by broken torii gates.
The air here was thick with curse energy, pressing against Roy's skin like humidity.
Curses shifted in the mist, waiting.
Geto gestured toward the open space.
"Here. This will be your training ground."
Roy's stomach churned, but he kept the grin, glancing around the cursed meadow.
"Great. Always wanted a personal gym filled with monsters."
Geto's smirk was faint but approving.
"Then let's begin."