Naruto: I Have Cursed Spirits!

The air beside Shiratori twisted and rippled violently, like the surface of water struck by a stone, radiating out black waves.

A hand tore through space and slowly emerged in front of the Suna ninjas.

Sukuna lazily stretched his neck and glanced at Shiratori, who lay on the ground.

"Ah," Sukuna smirked, "how pathetic."

Is this how cursed spirits talk to their host? Shiratori questioned the system.

[System clarification: Direct communication with manifested cursed spirits recommended for optimal results.]

"..."

Never mind then.

I'm the host here. I shouldn't argue with my own power.

He gave a light cough mentally.

"Who are you?"

"How... how did you appear?"

"Is this space ninjutsu?"

"..."

The Suna ninjas snapped out of the terror they felt and stared at Sukuna in shock.

"No matter!"

"Kill that brat first!"

With murderous intent in their eyes, the Suna ninjas charged toward Shiratori.

Splurt.

Blood sprayed all over a Suna ninja. His pupils shifted rigidly to the side. The companion who had just taken a step toward him was sliced into three parts by an invisible blade.

Sukuna raised an eyebrow, his tone relaxed. "Did I say you could move?"

[Fear detected]

[Multiple sources: +1000 points each]

[Total accumulated: 15,000 points]

[Activation threshold reached]

[Cursed Spirit: Hanami - ACTIVATED]

[Development progress: 15%]

Shiratori glanced at Sukuna and asked mentally, System, didn't you say only emotions directed at me can be collected?

This was clearly the Suna ninjas' fear toward Sukuna, right?

[Clarification: Cursed spirits are extensions of host consciousness.]

[Emotional responses to manifested spirits register as responses to host.]

[Energy collection parameters remain valid.]

No more questions needed. He accepted it.

Sukuna's crimson eyes lazily scanned over all the Suna ninjas. He casually raised his hand and gave a gentle wave.

No sound.

No flashy moves.

All the Suna ninjas were instantly sliced into three perfectly even, smooth-edged pieces.

Lines of blood appeared on their faces.

Their stunned expressions were still frozen in place.

Splash.

Blood gushed like spilled red paint from the countless cut surfaces, instantly dyeing the ground crimson.

The chunks of their bodies collapsed like fallen building blocks.

Sukuna flicked his fingers lightly, as if brushing off a speck of dust.

"..."

Shiratori shifted his gaze. No matter where he looked, it was all blood and corpses.

Sukuna sneered at him, his playful gaze fixed on him.

"Too weak."

It was unclear whether he was referring to Shiratori or the Suna ninjas.

His figure vanished.

Shiratori patted Rika. "You're still the sweetest."

Rika's gentle voice rang in his ears.

"Yuta…"

"I love you…"

Looking at her shy and bashful expression, he let out a deep sigh.

"Alright. You can go back for now."

Rika lingered reluctantly for a moment before turning into black mist and slipping back into the ring.

There was still another batch of emotional energy left to harvest, so he walked over to Shiyu's side.

Shiyu was barely clinging to life.

If the Reverse Cursed Technique wasn't used soon, once that last breath was gone, even the technique wouldn't be able to save him. He placed his hand on Shiyu's chest. A green glow enveloped his fatal wounds.

"I'll save you all!"

"I swear I'll save you!"

His voice cracked, shoulders shaking. Water dripped from his chin onto Shiyu's face, whether rain or tears, it was hard to tell.

He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, worried that anything else might compromise his image.

[System Alert: Emotional energy detected]

Shiyu felt the droplets fall onto his face.

Why was this rain... warm?

His hearing returned before his vision. He heard a familiar sound of distress.

It was Shiratori.

Was he... safe?

He struggled to open his eyes, and the tear-streaked face of a child came into view.

He's okay... That's good.

Relief flooded through him.

"I'll bring you back! Don't fall asleep!"

Hearing the anxious voice of the child, he faintly curled his lips.

[Affection detected: Shiyu +1000 points]

[Energy transferred to Rika]

[Development progress: 58.7%]

Shiyu's wounds gradually began to heal.

Shiratori quickly rushed over to the next seriously injured ninja.

Shiyu propped himself up from the ground, but dizziness hit him immediately. Though his injuries had healed, the lost blood couldn't be replaced. He steadied himself and stood up, starting to walk toward Shiratori. But just one step forward, he was stunned by the scene before him.

Blood.

Everywhere.

It had nearly formed a vast lake.

Dark red blood had completely soaked the ground. It was like a dark red carpet had been laid out. Corpses and severed limbs were strewn across the bloody field, and the stench was overwhelming.

What had happened?

He quickly noticed that the severed limbs had unnaturally smooth cut surfaces.

How was this done?

Who could do this?

He looked at Shiratori, who was still healing wounded Ame ninjas.

"Shiratori," he crouched down beside the boy. His face was pale and bloodless, looking as fragile as porcelain. And truly, he was. But simple movement wasn't a problem. He looked at him and asked, "What happened? Who killed them?"

Shiratori continued working, his long lashes trembling slightly, but he didn't respond.

Sensing his unusual reaction, Shiyu's heart sank.

"Don't be afraid."

He gently reassured him: "Was it you?"

He didn't believe Shiratori could have killed so many Suna ninjas, but aside from him, there was no one else.

The Ame ninja forces were completely unable to fight anymore. And now... only Shiratori was left standing.

Who else could it be?

Shiratori shook his head... then nodded.

Shiyu didn't understand what he meant.

[Gratitude detected: Kuroi +2000 points]

[Energy transferred to Smallpox Deity]

[Development progress: 53.6%]

Kuroi slowly regained consciousness. His gaze settled on Shiratori.

This was the second time.

The boy had saved him again.

A sudden flash of memory surged through his mind, the last scene he saw before losing consciousness.

His pupils trembled. "Shiratori, that ninja... who was he?"

Shiratori glanced at him.

When Sukuna had slaughtered the Suna ninjas, quite a few Ame ninjas hadn't fallen unconscious yet.

"He wasn't a ninja."

He pressed his lips together, answering softly.