Jealous gorilla. He's just mad he's got no flair.
After the brutal training session against Toji, a total collapse ensued. Yoichi was left sprawling to the ground, lungs heaving for air that felt too thin to satisfy the demand.
The physical toll of keeping up with a ghost of the Zenin clan was immense, yet Yoichi's mind remained sharp, racing with the data gathered from the fray.
His hand reached out Akashic Records into view, jotting filled the silence as discoveries were recorded.
The primary find was the sheer hunger of the Devil Arms. A massive consumption of Cursed Energy was required to facilitate the conversion into Demonic Energy, a brutal but necessary trade-off that offered a massive augmentation to destructive power.
It was a high-tier upgrade, as evident by the way Rebellion had carved through the scythe-wielding demons earlier.
However, a fundamental void remained; no hint of Demonic Energy existed naturally within his body. Instead, a slow but steady sublimation of the self was taking place.
Dante's traits were manifesting with increasing clarity—mastery over weaponry, combat instincts, and a budding physical regeneration that stitched together the micro-tears in the muscles at an unnatural rate. Toji's assessment of being a "freak of nature" was well-founded; the endurance and stamina displayed were far beyond the limits of any ordinary five-year-old child.
Then, there was the technical setback.
Royalguard felt significantly weaker when fueled solely by Cursed Energy. Without Demonic Energy, the kinetic force of an opponent was only partially mitigated.
Approximately 70% of the impact was still inflicted upon the body, while a mere 30% was dismissed into the void. It was a dangerous game of attrition, leaving the defense feeling brittle compared to the legendary perfection of the game's mechanics.
Still, the current prowess was nothing short of outstanding. With more combat experience and time, the potential for nightmare-tier power was undeniable.
Perhaps even Sukuna might piss his pants once I unlock Sin Devil Trigger at that point.
A smug, tired grin appeared through the sweat as the writing continued. Soon, a solitary peace settled over the room.
...
Toji and Akio had retreated, leaving the child alone with his thoughts and a plan that was slowly, stylishly coming together.
However, the serene atmosphere of the forest was dismantled as Toji caught sight of people with his extraordinary senses.
"Hey! We have company!"
A loud shout erupted from Yu Haibara, his energetic voice cutting through the serenity.
A finger was pointed toward the massive white monolith with a curious tilt of the head. "Look, Tsubaki, Riko! People! Wonder if they're friendly?"
The world seemed to grind to a halt for the man standing by the porch. A sudden dilation of the pupils occurred as Toji's gaze fixated entirely on Tsubaki, the surrounding reality blurring into insignificance.
Haibara's greeting was unheard; Riko's presence was ignored. Every instinct was centered on the one woman he never thought he'd see again.
A blur of movement provided the only warning before the impact. Tsubaki crashed into his frame, her arms locking around his waist in a fierce, trembling embrace that threatened to shatter his composure.
"You're here! You're actually here!"
A choked plea muffled against his chest. "Please, don't leave me again... not ever!"
Emerging from the white box, Yoichi halted at the threshold, blinking at the scene. A pair of golden eyes scanned the porch with a mixture of confusion and wicked delight.
Akio looked as though a rift in reality had opened before her very eyes; Toji stood like a paralyzed statue, his face a mask of unreadable, raw shock; and Tsubaki was simply crying her heart out, anchoring the strongest man in the world to the spot.
Oooohhh, a drama? Where's my popcorn?
An internal commentary played out as he leaned, relaxed against the doorframe.
An emotional weight slowly began to lift as the storm of tears subsided.
Tsubaki pulled back just enough to breathe, her red-rimmed eyes finally catching sight of the woman standing nearby.
Recognition sparked instantly; the bond formed when she and Toji had become husband and wife remained etched in her soul, even across the divide of the afterlife.
A silent yet intense gaze was leveled at Akio by Toji. No words were exchanged, yet those turbulent eyes revealed a chaotic sea of emotions.
Guilt, relief, and a desperate sort of confirmation.
The message was received loud and clear, bypassing the need for a single syllable.
"Oh, so it's my sister."
A gentle, knowing smile appeared on Akio's face as she accepted the reality of the situation. She truly didn't care about the logistics or the "scandal" of it all anymore.
After all, they were all residents of a world beyond the living. Who was left to argue with them? The wind? The empty air?
A relaxed and almost serene posture was adopted by Akio as she stepped forward to welcome the newcomer.
"Welcome, Tsubaki. It's about to get a lot more crowded around here."
Meanwhile, Yoichi's figure remained leaning against the threshold, watching the "sisterly" reunion with a raised eyebrow.
Well, that settled quickly. No hair-pulling? No dramatic slaps? You're killing the vibe here, Mamaguro.
A playful disappointment flickered in the golden eyes, though the underlying warmth of the scene wasn't entirely lost on him.
...
The bright, infectious energy of the newcomer sliced through the lingering emotional fog as a deep, respectful bow was offered to the room.
"Hey there! I'm Haibara Yu! It's seriously great to meet all of you!"
A total lack of interest was displayed by Yoichi, who barely spared the energetic teenager a glance.
The introductions were white noise compared to the sight unfolding on the central couch. There, Toji was leaning back, draped in an aura of effortless comfort that bordered on the fraud watchlist.
Watching the man bask in the quiet, doting attention of both women prompted a slow, respectful nod from the child.
Ey, game recognizes game.
A momentary flicker of doubt crossed the mind as Yoichi's eyes drifted toward the ceiling. I wonder if I'll get Dante's terrific luck with women. I hope not... But knowing Dante's luck, maybe I'll just end up like him.
Noticing Yoichi's nonchalance, an inward scowl formed on Toji.
It was impossible to graze the brat's ego.
Still, a profound sense of relief settled deep within Toji's chest. Seeing Tsubaki here, watching her accept the messy and broken circumstances of his past despite the rigid traditions of Modern Japan, felt like the first real breath he'd taken in decades.
But, does that really matter now? They are dead.
A restless urge for chaos flared within as Yoichi's mind searched for any way to disrupt that smug satisfaction.
The golden eyes drifted toward the side of the room, landing on the figure of Riko Amanai, who appeared a bit lost amidst the sudden reunion.
Hehehe... This might work.
A playful smirk began to curl at the corners of his mouth as a plan took root.
"Riko Amanai, right?" A comment escaped from Yoichi's throat. "My name is Murakami Yoichi. It's interesting to see you hanging out with the guy who put a bullet in your—"
The sentence was never finished.
A sudden blur of motion occurred as Toji was on his feet in a flash, a heavy sense of dread radiating from his frame like a truck.
Without a single word, a massive hand reached out and snatched the boy up by the collar.
Ignoring the immediate protests, Toji marched straight toward the simulation room with the focused determination of a man outrunning a landslide.
"Training isn't over yet, brat."
Held up like a misbehaving kitten, Yoichi's nerves remained unshaken. A knowing and wicked smirk was thrown back at Toji.
"Feeling proactive today, Sensei? That's surprising! I thought you would succumb to the pleasure, but here you are! Lively, how amazing."
A casual tone followed as Yoichi dangled on Toji's arm. "Listen, Sensei. Women slow down our drawing speed. We must stay focused on the goal, not on the huzz."
The jab was ignored, though a visible tightening of the grip on the shirt revealed the desperation to silence the kid before the past and the present collided in the most awkward way possible.
"What's wrong with them?"
A confused tilt of the head came from Riko Amanai as she watched the pair disappear into the white box.
Soon after, her confusion was pushed aside in favor of conversation with the others, finding comfort in the rest after the long trek through the mystical forest.
An explosion of movement filled the simulation room as a bone-shattering strike was launched by Toji. The air hissed with the friction of the blow, yet Yoichi in his white coat didn't flinch.
A focused arm was raised just in time to meet the knuckles of the Sorcerer Killer.
CLANG.
A brilliant flare of crimson energy erupted at the point of impact. Royalguard.
The sheer momentum sent Yoichi skidding across the polished floor, the soles of his shoes smoking against the white surface.
Despite the force, a defiant and high-pitched laugh echoed through the room.
"Is that all, Sensei? You're swinging like a man who's got a date tonight! Keep your head in the game!"
A relentless flurry of attacks came after, each one met with the sharp chime of a perfect block. Toji's nimble spin was executed as the child dodged a follow-up kick by a hair-breadth, his golden eyes dancing with a manic, high-octane glee.
"Too slow! Maybe the 'huzz' really is slowing down your drawing speed!"
A bitter smile appeared on Toji's face as he reset his stance.
The irritation was still there, buzzing beneath the surface, but a reluctant sense of awe was beginning to take root.
Watching the five-year-old cackle while parrying strikes that would pulverize a seasoned sorcerer was a sight that defied every law of the world he knew.
This kid is going to be the death of me.
...
A wave of exhaustion finally claimed his small frame as Yoichi materialized back in the quiet of his bedroom. The sheets felt like a luxury against his skin as he sprawled out, his mind barely having enough time to register the soft pillows before a dreamless sleep took hold.
Meanwhile, back in the expanse of the Wonderspace, the aftermath of the chaos remained. Toji retreated toward the studio, his mind likely preoccupied with the headache of his past catching up to him.
Yu Haibara remained near the steps, his head swiveling left and right like a confused puppy searching for a lost ball.
"Wait... where'd he go?"
A hand was raised to shade his eyes as he squinted toward the room. "He was just here! I didn't even get to ask him how he makes those guns appear out of thin air! Tsubaki-san, did the kid escape?"
"He's resting, Haibara-kun," Mamaguro offered with a gentle, slightly weary smile.
"Training with Toji-san tends to take everything out of a person."
"Resting? At five years old?" Riko Amanai chimed in, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
A frustrated huff escaped her lips. "That brat is way too fast for his own good. He calls me by my full name like we're old friends and then just... poof! Gone!"
A sheepish laugh came next from Haibara. "Well, he did look pretty exhausted. Though, I've never seen a kid that age carry a sword like it's a toy... Is everyone in this place a monster?"
"Only the ones worth talking to," Akio noted dryly, her gaze drifting toward the studio door. "But don't worry. You'll get your chance to introduce yourselves tomorrow. For now, let the 'little prodigy' sleep. He's going to need it a lot."
______________