Sukuna looked down at Shinobu and said, "You'd better understand something. I'm not killing you because I need you to fulfill the deal with Kyojuro. Don't think that means you can act however you want. Got it...?"
"..."
Shinobu heard Sukuna's words clearly, but she did not respond immediately. She was trying her best to think past the pain.
But in her current state, that was nearly impossible. Her thoughts moved at a crawl.
Seeing this, Sukuna irritably twisted the hilt of the Nichirin Blade. The sharp edge turned inside Shinobu's palm, tearing through flesh and bone as blood splattered. The spray of red against her pale skin became a splash of ink painting.
Even as a Hashira, Shinobu was not used to such pain. A pained cry escaped her.
"Aaaagh—!"
"When someone speaks to you, answer," Sukuna said arrogantly, looking down at her tear-filled, furious eyes. "I'm interested in the Breathing Techniques you use. Teach them to me, take me to see other Breathing Techniques, and give me information on other strong enemies."
"Cough... what are you going to do...?" Shinobu coughed out the blood clogging her throat and demanded.
Sukuna gave her a look that said wasn't it obvious, and laughed lightly.
"Find something to pass the time, of course."
"Pass the time..."
Shinobu was stunned by the answer. Then an uncontrollable chill ran through her.
Not like a demon acting on instinct to eat humans. Not even pure malice. He treated this as mere entertainment to kill time.
Sukuna thoughtfully added, "Oh, and when I say strong enemies, it doesn't matter if they're human or demon. But don't misunderstand—I don't mean someone on your level. Otherwise, I'd be troubled."
After all, if they were too weak, Sukuna could hardly get any amusement from them.
"..."
Shinobu fell silent at his contempt. For a moment, she did not know whether to be relieved or angry.
Because the fact was already laid out before her. At her level, she was no match for Sukuna.
Once Shinobu had fully calmed down, she considered many things.
Only when the first rays of sunlight fell across Sukuna's sharply defined muscles did she truly understand why Rengoku had traded his life for a deal with him.
She did not want to admit it, but this being who called himself Ryomen Sukuna had already exceeded what any swordsman could handle.
Not even a Hashira could kill him. Shinobu had tested that herself and received her answer.
And she had seen with her own eyes the full power of Rengoku's final slash.
It was arguably the strongest single strike Shinobu had ever witnessed from any Hashira.
That was why Rengoku had tried to make a deal. To avoid pushing Sukuna completely into opposition, and to use his nature of killing both humans and demons alike to steer him toward killing demons.
Shinobu also considered that if Sukuna was willing to follow her guidance, it might make him somewhat more controllable. It would also buy time to send word to the leader of the Corps for a final decision.
In the end, Shinobu decided to temporarily compromise and endure. She spoke slowly to Sukuna.
"I... can agree to that..."
Sukuna could probably guess what she was really thinking. Something similar to that old man's little schemes earlier. But it did not matter to him. He asked with a hint of amusement, "Oh? That fast to make up your mind?"
Sukuna pulled the Nichirin Blade free, then immediately used Reverse Cursed Technique on Shinobu's hand—the one that had been pierced and torn into a bloody mess.
Within just a few breaths, flesh, muscle, and bone were completely restored. Only the dried bloodstains on her skin remained as proof of the earlier torment.
Nor did he heal only her hand. Sukuna also restored the injuries inside Shinobu's body. Otherwise, such a small wound would not have required that much of his time.
It was a miraculous power Shinobu had never felt before in her life. The surging life force made her feel as if she had been reborn in an instant.
Shinobu, her vision restored, stared in shock at her slightly raised palm. Aside from the remaining bloodstains, everything was smooth and new.
Then a thought suddenly crossed Shinobu's mind. If this power existed, could it heal someone who had been turned into a demon?
While Shinobu was still lost in thought, Sukuna leaned down and kindly whispered in her ear.
"I advise you not to play any little games with me. Because the right to your life and death belongs to me now. You'd better understand that."
The sharp Nichirin Blade pierced Shinobu's body once more, driving home the full weight of Sukuna's words.
If Sukuna wished, he could bring her to the brink of death, then heal her with that power. He could also pull her back from the edge if she ever tried to end her own life.
Shinobu could not imagine any torture more cruel than this in the world. When even the pursuit of death was stripped away, nothing could compare.
After Sukuna used Reverse Cursed Technique again, Shinobu looked through the torn fabric of her uniform at her unblemished skin. Even so, she still struggled to fully accept what had just happened. It felt like a dream.
A startled cry pulled Shinobu back to reality.
"Ahh! Flame Hashira!? How... how can you be active during the day!"
The one who cried out was a member of the Kakushi, here to investigate the situation at Mount Fujikasane and handle the aftermath.
He was so shocked because he had noticed the broken Nichirin Blade's hilt, with its guard bearing the unique mark of Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro.
Combined with the figure covered in black cursed markings and possessing two pairs of eyes—clearly not human—his mind immediately got the answer. The Flame Hashira had been defeated by a demon that could move in daylight. That was why he was so agitated.
"Aaaaaaaaaaah!"
The Kakushi pulled out his crossbow with trembling hands and fired at Sukuna. But such a hasty shot could not threaten Sukuna at all. Sukuna casually swung his Nichirin Blade and deflected it easily.
"Annoying..."
Just as Sukuna was about to cut down that irritating fly, Shinobu stood in front of the Kakushi with her broken blade raised.
--------------------------------
Would appreciate stones if you can spare any. Thank you