The smoke from the Abe estate could still be seen on the horizon as they walked along. It was a smudge of grey against the rising sun.
In this time, news traveled through whispers and messengers who appeared terrified. By the time they reached the next province, the story had shifted.
People began calling them the Two Kings. Some talked about a man who had four arms and could slice through the air.
Others spoke in hushed tones about the Thousand-Eyed Disaster. They claimed this new curse could crush a person's soul merely by looking at him.
Renzo walked a few paces behind Sukuna. He was listening intently to the wind. His extra eyes were hidden away for the moment, but he still felt the world in a different way. He felt more alive than he had ever felt in his previous life.
'This is incredible,' Renzo thought to himself. 'Back home, I was just another face in the crowd. Now, people fear even the mention of my name!'
He glanced at Sukuna's back. The King of Curses was humming a low melody that had no tune. He seemed relaxed. It was strange to Renzo.
Sukuna was a mass murderer and a tyrant. Yet, Renzo found him easy to be around. There was no false politeness.
"You're smiling," Sukuna said without turning around. "Did the slaughter settle your stomach?"
Renzo caught himself. "I suppose it did. It's just... I did not expect to be honored with a title. The Two Kings. It sounds nice."
Sukuna chuckled. "Titles are merely words for the weak to hide behind. But if it keeps you from complaining, I will allow it."
"I am not complaining," Renzo replied, smirking. "I am just saying. You are actually a pretty cool guy to be around, Sukuna."
Sukuna halted. He turned his head just enough to look at Renzo with his lower set of eyes. "Cool? You have a strange way of speaking, Renzo. But do not get too comfortable. We killed a clan. Now, the powerful will come to challenge us."
They arrived at a wide dirt path lined with ancient cedar trees. The air here felt different. It was clean, yet there was a sharp, metallic sting to it.
It was the scent of high-level sorcery.
Suddenly, several paper talons flew out from the shadows of the trees. They were aimed at Renzo.
Renzo reacted without hesitation. He did not need to think. His Agility pushed him into a blur. He twisted his body in mid-air. The talons hissed past him and struck a tree. The wood turned to stone instantly where the charms had touched it.
"Imperial Court sorcerers," Sukuna remarked, folding his arms and looking bored. "They always resort to the same dull tricks."
From the shadows, five men stepped out. They wore white and gold robes. They resembled priests, but their eyes were cold.
In the center stood a taller man with long, white hair tied back neatly in a ponytail. He held a staff tipped with golden rings.
"Ryomen Sukuna," the man in the center said. His voice was calm. "And the one they refer to as the Devourer. You have caused quite a stir in the capital."
"And who are you?" Renzo asked. He maintained a low stance.
"I am Kamo no Tadahito," the man replied. "I lead the Imperial Execution Squad. We are here to ensure that the rumors of the Two Kings end today."
Renzo felt a surge of excitement. This was not a group of frightened guards.
These were the elites. He glanced at Sukuna, who gave him a slight nod.
"The four on the sides are yours," Sukuna instructed. "I will speak with the one holding the staff."
Renzo did not hesitate. He activated his Hybrid Form.
Dozens of red eyes opened along his arms and neck. The sorcerers flinched at the sight. It was unsettling.
Renzo felt his Focus sharpen. He could see the flow of cursed energy in each of the four men.
He lunged.
One sorcerer raised his hands, chanting a barrier spell. A shimmering wall of golden light appeared.
"Dungeon Collapse Field!"
He placed his hand on the ground in front of it. A massive gravity well opened up. The ground disappeared. The barrier was pulled downward into the earth. The sorcerer gasped as his legs were crushed by the sudden weight.
Renzo moved past him. He swung his arm, his talons extended. He caught the second sorcerer across the chest. The Ancient Core Resonance hummed. The strike vibrated through the man's energy pool.
The third and fourth sorcerers attempted to flank him. They threw strings of cursed beads that glowed with blue fire.
'Too slow,' Renzo thought.
He used his Agility to leap over them. While in the air, he pointed both hands downward.
"Primordial Devouring."
Dark, shadowy tendrils shot out from his palms. They wrapped around the beads, absorbing the fire instantly. They latched onto the shoulders of the sorcerers.
The men screamed. It was not a long sound. Renzo felt the rush of their energy flowing into him. Their skin turned pale as their life force was drained away. It felt like drinking a cold glass of water on a hot day.
He landed softly on the grass. The four sorcerers were down. Two were dead, their bodies hollow. The other two were unconscious and broken.
Renzo turned to observe Sukuna.
The King of Curses had not even moved his feet. Kamo no Tadahito was sweating. He was swinging his staff, sending waves of blood-red energy at Sukuna.
Each wave was dismantled before it could even approach.
"Is that all?" Sukuna asked. He sounded genuinely disappointed.
Tadahito roared and bit his thumb. He smeared blood across his staff. "Cursed Technique: Crimson Spear!"
The blood hardened into a large, jagged lance. He thrust it forward with all his might.
Sukuna raised a finger. "Cleave."
The air screamed. The blood spear was sliced into a thousand tiny droplets. The attack did not stop there. The invisible blade continued forward. Tadahito's staff was cut in half. Then his robes. Then his chest.
The legendary sorcerer fell to his knees. He looked down at the clean line across his torso. He did not even have time to bleed before life left his eyes.
Sukuna walked over to the body. He kicked the broken staff aside. "Legendary, my foot. They get weaker with each century."
Renzo approached him. He was breathing a bit heavily, but he felt great. "That was faster than I expected."
"They were arrogant," Sukuna stated. He looked at Renzo, noticing the red eyes still blinking on Renzo's arms. "You are improving with the devouring. You did not waste any energy this time."
Renzo retracted the eyes. His skin returned to being smooth. "I'm starting to understand it"
He looked at the fallen elites. He should have felt something like regret or horror. But all he felt was a sense of accomplishment.
"You know," Renzo said while looking at the path ahead. "Walking with you makes this whole curse thing much more enjoyable."
Sukuna laughed. It was not a mocking laugh. It was the laugh of someone who had finally found a decent toy. He clapped Renzo on the shoulder. The force was enough to make Renzo stumble, but he just laughed along.
"Do not get sentimental on me," Sukuna said. "We have a city to reach. I hear the food in Kyoto is excellent. And by food, I mean the souls of the high priests."
Renzo nodded. "Lead the way, King."
They continued down the path. The sun was fully risen now.
The Two Kings walked side by side, their shadows long and dark against the golden trees.
But the bodies they left behind told a different story. The legend was expanding. And the Heian era was about to learn that having one king was bad enough.