As the sunlight fell across the academy yard, children ran around laughing. It looked like a normal morning. But for Satoru, nothing was normal.
Sitting on a bench, his hands pressed against his knees, his eyes were closed. And once again, that voice came.
"Did you think you could silence me? Ahahah…"
Satoru clenched his teeth. Go away… he whispered. But Sukuna did not stop.
"How pitiful you are. Beneath this small body lies such power that… even without me, you would explode. But I am here. And with every breath you take, I grow stronger."
Satoru opened his eyes. The children in the yard were laughing, running. The contrast between their joy and Sukuna's dark voice… tore at his ears.
In one corner, Naruto approached Sakura.
"Heeey, Sakura-chan! Let's eat lunch together today, okay? Dattebayo!"
Sakura turned and glared at him sharply.
"With you? No, Naruto. Go eat by yourself."
Naruto's face fell. He pouted and grumbled.
"But… Sakura-chan…"
Sakura looked toward Sasuke, who was sitting off to the side. Her eyes sparkled.
"Sasuke-kun, can we sit together at lunch?"
Naruto's face turned crimson.
"What?! Why is it always him, dattebayo?! I'm right here—notice me!"
Sakura snapped back and punched him on the head.
"Stop being ridiculous!"
Naruto clutched his head, crouching in pain.
"It hurts, Sakura-chan…"
Sasuke didn't react at all. Sitting silently by the window, his face carried neither a smile nor anger. It was as if none of this concerned him.
Satoru watched the entire scene. He thought to himself:
How strange… One shouts for love like a flame, another hides love in silence. And the third—Sasuke—seems to want nothing at all. Yet everything revolves around him.
Sukuna's voice slid back into his mind.
"Watch them. Power and desire bind people together. But in the end, it all shatters. And so will you, Satoru. You will lose your friends."
Satoru's fist clenched unconsciously. SHUT UP!
Iruka gathered the children in the yard.
"Today we'll practice paired movements. Reflex and cooperation!"
Naruto instantly ran to Sakura.
"Sakura-chan! Let's do it together, please!"
Sakura's eyes were fixed on Sasuke.
"I'll work with Sasuke-kun."
Naruto's eyes filled with tears.
"It's always Sasuke! What about me?! Dattebayo!"
Sakura turned and yelled at him again.
"You always ruin everything, Naruto!"
Iruka waved his hand.
"Alright then… Satoru, you'll pair with Naruto."
Naruto grumbled, but Satoru chuckled.
"You're lucky, Naruto. Maybe you'll learn something."
Naruto shook his fist angrily.
"You'll see, Satoru! This time I'll beat you, dattebayo!"
As the children continued training, Satoru's mind grew more and more clouded. With every reflex exercise, every movement… Sukuna's voice grew sharper.
"You cannot protect them. Just like in your previous world… your hands will be covered in blood, Satoru."
For a moment, everything vanished before his eyes. Instead of the joyful yard, a bloody battlefield appeared. Instead of children's laughter, screams filled his ears. And Sukuna stood there, watching from the shadows.
Satoru staggered. Naruto noticed immediately.
"Satoru? Are you okay?"
Satoru forced a smile.
"I'm fine… just a little… dizzy."
But inside, he knew. It was only getting worse.
Training ended, the children dispersed. The evening sun cast its light over the stones of the yard. Satoru was left alone.
He closed his eyes. Held his breath.
And from the depths, that voice whispered again in his ear:
"Soon… I will control your body as well."
Satoru's eyes snapped open. In the corner of the yard, with everyone gone… for a moment, four red eyes gleamed. Then vanished into the darkness.
"Was it real… or just my mind?" Satoru whispered.
There was no answer. Only a faint, distant laughter.
And for the first time, Satoru was certain it wasn't just an illusion.