Life After Death: The Strength Of Suffering

"Sukuna, you've been oddly quiet since we left. What's on your mind?" I asked, turning to the boy riding alongside me on his horse. He frowned, deeper than usual before glancing my way and then ahead again.

"Why?"

I raised an eyebrow at the vague question. "Why what?"

"Why is someone who could wipe out a small insignificant clan letting them walk all over you?"

'Ah, I see.' I looked at him and replied calmly, "You left before hearing the deal I made with them." Glancing around at the trees lining our path, I continued. "The Umemura Clan deals in high quality silk and cloth. While it's not something I care much about personally, it benefits the people living under my protection on the mountain." I turned briefly to Sukuna before looking ahead again. "When farmers are clothed appropriately for the seasons, I get better harvests. And better harvests mean I stay fed."

He didn't look convinced. I shrugged. "Sure, I could wipe out clans, steal their food, and live off that. But it's not sustainable."

"Why not?" he challenged, meeting my gaze with growing anger and confusion.

"How many sorcerers do you think there are?" I asked, redirecting the conversation.

He hesitated before shaking his head. "No idea."

"There are more than ten but fewer than the blades of grass in the East."

I allowed myself a small puff of pride at the wisdom of my phrasing. Sukuna however, scoffed. "The fuck does that mean?"

Sighing, I turned back to the road ahead. "It means there are too many sorcerers to count. And while I'm strong, I wouldn't last long against an endless horde." 'Though I might be able to if I used that technique.'

"Tch." Sukuna scoffed again, this time with more arrogance. "Then you're just not strong enough. You're weak, like all the other- AGH!"

I flicked a rock at his forehead cutting off his insult. He glared at me, rubbing the spot while debating whether to retaliate.

I decided to press my point. "Sukuna, I'll only say this once, so listen closely." He leaned forward slightly, intrigued despite himself. "No matter how strong you are, there will always be someone who stops you. And it may not be the strongest opponent you face, It could be the weakest most insignificant person, but they'll be the one to end you."

His expression darkened, but he didn't argue. As the gates of the Umemura Clan compound came into view, I added. "Once this is over I'll train you properly. And once a year, we'll fight."

I let my cursed energy flare ever so slightly, enough to unsettle the guards approaching us, and concluded. "And I won't hold back." 'As much.' I thought afterwards.

~Scene Change~

The Umemura Clan was smaller than I'd expected.

'Then again, they're still a new clan, with only one head before the current one.' I thought. It was easy to forget how deeply rooted tradition was in the era's before mine, something that hadn't helped when I first arrived and tried clearing my name before I embraced it all.

Which brought me to the present.

The Clan Head and Elders sat on silk cushions, their kimonos woven from the finest cloth I'd seen. From the moment I entered, they bowed their heads in a show of respect and fear. I, however didn't return the gesture, which only heightened their unease. Their gazes flickered to the Clan Heiress, who also entered without bowing to her father.

The tension eased slightly when the Sakurazawa Clan head gave a shallow bow, followed by the Fuyutsuki Clan woman. But the fear returned when their eyes landed on Sukuna, whose arrogance was palpable and appearance unsettling to those who cared. He scoffed at the unspoken expectation to bow and I rolled my eyes, stepping forward to block their view of him.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?~" My tone dripped with amusement.

The grey haired man before me forced a nervous smile and nodded. "S-Sasaki-san, it's a p-pleasure to meet with you again. I take it my son has sorted e-everything between us?"

I hummed, turning to the disguised woman beside me. She nodded, confirming my suspicions. I rolled my eyes irritated by the hassle, and returned my gaze to the soon to be dead man.

"I've been informed of a few scenarios." I said, brushing stray strands of hair from my face. "And to be frank, I prefer what your child has offered over what you proposed."

Confusion spread across the Clan Head's face and the Elders, but I smiled and continued. "I've come to a decision. I will support the Clan Heiress."

Shock rippled through the room. The Head shot to his feet, pointing a trembling finger at his daughter. "You revealed yourself to this man?! Do you know what danger you've brought to your brother?!"

I arched an eyebrow and let my cursed energy perception sweep through the compound. Sure enough, there was another presence likely the same age as the Heiress, in a nearby house.

'I see. They were using her as a backup incase I end up killing someone.' I mused.

The Heiress sighed, grabbed her hair and removed the wig she wore. "Father, I believe this should come to a vote."

She tossed the wig aside, revealing short black hair that framed her face beautifully. From where I stood, I noticed her eyes had taken on an yellow to orange hue. Her father stammered out a response. "W-what do you mean, v-vote?!"

{Pic}

The Heiress sighed again, shedding her outer kimono to reveal a purple one beneath, tied with a yellow obi. "Father, you know exactly what I mean. The Elders must decide on a new Clan Leader, with I in the running."

The Elders stirred uneasily as her father's shock turned to anger. I resisted the urge to smirk.

"I-I refuse!"

The Heiress laughed lightly, releasing a wave of cursed energy not strong but enough to silence her father. "It's written in our Clan's laws. Are you saying you're above the rules your father set?"

The man paled, his desperation mounting. "S-Sasaki-san! I-If you support me, I'll grant you anything!"

I ignored him and nodded at the Heiress to hurry up and proceed. She addressed the Elders. "Raise your hand if you support the current Head." No hands were raised.

I turned toward the exit as she continued, Sukuna following close behind. "All in favor of a new Head?" I heard from her and by the ruffling of clothing I assumed they raised their hands.

Her final words reached my ears as I left the house the meeting was being held in. "All in favor of I, Umemura Kaede, becoming Clan Head?"

'Kaede, huh?' I filed the name away before glancing at Sukuna, who looked bored. "Hungry, brat?"

His stomach growled, and he frowned. "I'm not a brat, old geezer!"

Smirking, I reached under my kimono and pulled out a teacher's best tool, a stick.

WACK

"Fuck!" he yelled, clutching his head.

"Come on, kid." I teased, tossing the stick into a nearby garden. "I'll eat everything if you don't hurry."

He clicked his tongue but jogged to catch up, looking sour. I snorted and ruffled his hair while healing the welt on his head. "We'll fight after we eat, brat."

His frown faded, replaced by excitement, just as both our stomachs rumbled.

"Let's find something to eat."