The path through the village was calm.
Young Sukuna walked beside Takeru, holding an old worn ball under one arm.
Not saying much.
Just quietly following.
Eventually—
they reached a small open area.
A bunch of kids were already there running around.
Throwing things.
Laughing.
Playing.
Takeru smiled.
"See? Told ya."
Young Sukuna looked over slowly.
For a moment—
his eyes actually lit up a little.
Then one of the kids looked over.
Paused.
Another looked.
Then another.
The laughing slowed.
"…Huh?"
"…Look at him."
"…He has four eyes…"
"…And four arms…"
"…Weird…"
Young Sukuna's expression slowly dropped.
The excitement faded almost instantly.
Even manifested Sukuna, watching from farther away with the others, narrowed his eyes.
Then—
Takeru stepped forward.
No glowing eyes.
No cursed energy.
No pressure.
Nothing dramatic.
He just stood there.
And stared.
Silence.
The kids looked up.
Then immediately froze.
Because Takeru wasn't angry.
Wasn't glaring.
Wasn't smiling either.
He was just looking at them.
Completely still.
And somehow—
that was worse.
One kid swallowed.
"…U-uh…"
Another looked away.
"…I suddenly forgot what I was saying."
A third kid took two steps backward.
"…Why does he feel scary…"
Behind them, Yuji whispered:
"…Bro didn't even do anything."
Megumi nodded.
"…Exactly."
Hakari stared.
"…Weaponized disappointment."
Young Sukuna blinked.
Then looked up at Takeru.
Takeru finally spoke.
"…You guys done?"
Silence.
The kids nodded rapidly.
"Y-yes!"
"Very done!"
"Completely done!"
Takeru immediately smiled again.
Like a switch flipped.
"Great."
He pointed at the ball.
"Now go play."
Young Sukuna stared.
Still processing.
Because nobody had ever stepped in front of him like that before.
And behind a nearby tree—
Fred slowly raised a sign:
"Big brother mode activated."
Manifested Sukuna looked at it.
Then looked away.
"…I hate how much I don't hate this."