Young Sukuna just stood there.
Still staring.
Still processing the dramatic descent that absolutely should not have worked.
Cherry blossom petals were still floating around for some reason.
Takeru looked at the water buckets.
Then at young Sukuna.
Then back at the buckets.
"…Heavy?"
Young Sukuna looked down.
Then back up.
"…A little."
Without another word, Takeru casually picked both buckets up with one hand.
Everyone in the bushes froze.
Yuji whispered:
"…One hand?"
Megumi looked tired again.
"…Of course it's one hand."
Takeru walked toward the hut and placed the buckets down carefully.
No cracks.
No spilled water.
Nothing dramatic.
Just helping.
The old man nearby blinked a few times.
Looked at Takeru.
Looked at the buckets.
Then looked at his own arms.
"…Young people are terrifying."
Takeru turned back toward young Sukuna.
The kid was still watching him with wide eyes.
Then Takeru crouched slightly.
"…You have a ball?"
Young Sukuna tilted his head.
"…Ball?"
Takeru nodded.
"We can play."
A pause.
Then he pointed behind him.
"Actually, there were some kids we passed on the way here."
Young Sukuna blinked.
"…Play... with them?"
Silence.
Behind the bushes—
everyone slowly turned toward manifested Sukuna.
Manifested Sukuna stared back.
"…Do not look at me."
Hakari whispered:
"…He's trying to give Sukuna a childhood."
Nanami blinked.
"…I think he is."
Young Sukuna looked down at the ground quietly.
Then after a few seconds—
very quietly—
"…I have a ball."
Takeru smiled.
"…Then let's go."
From behind the bushes, Fred slowly lifted a sign:
"Side Quest: Repair Childhood."
Manifested Sukuna stared at it.
"…I'm going to burn that sign."