NOVEL NEXT Chapter 348: I Lend You My Power
In the midst of the bloody scene, Itadori Kaori set aside the seven containers she had just opened, took out the embryos inside, and stuffed them one by one into the swollen body.
Finally, using the withered finger like a nail, she pinned all the embryos securely inside.
After completing her work, Kaori clapped her hands lightly. The blood on her palms instantly clumped together and fell away.
She then murmured to herself, as though admiring a freshly completed piece of art.
"Blood Manipulation, plus Sukuna's finger."
"Choso, once you completely absorb the power of the other seven phases and gain the Cursed Energy from a single Sukuna finger, then in today's Cursed World, even Gojo Satoru would not be your opponent."
"As long as you do not encounter Satoshi, the combination of you and Uraume will essentially be invincible..."
Kaori watched the wound on Choso's body close at a speed visible to the naked eye, showing no surprise.
After all, she was a Special Grade Cursed Spirit who possessed Sukuna's power. If she could not achieve this, that would be the real surprise.
Kaori had always understood Choso's goal. But she would never reveal her identity as Kamo Noritoshi, nor the whereabouts of the other seven from the Nine Phases Diagram.
As the most convenient tool at her disposal, why would she allow him to break free and gain independence?
"Mom, why did you cut my hand just now?"
Itadori Yuji tilted his head, puzzled as to why his mother had let his blood drip onto the older brother before him.
The sight of blood did not frighten Yuji at all. Instead, curiosity lit up his face.
"It's alright, Yuji. Your blood is very useful to this big brother. It can save him."
"Really? Then Yuji will let him have more."
...
Choso opened his eyes and found himself adrift in an endless river of blood.
He did not know exactly what Kaori had done to him, but he could feel that this was not reality. It was more like his inner spiritual world.
Letting the current take him, he drifted downstream. The warmth of the blood made him feel at ease.
It was as though all his brothers were with him.
It was also like lying in his mother's arms, his heart filled with peace.
Under this force, Choso grew stronger, merging with one source of power after another, until he encountered a violent surge of energy.
He suddenly opened his eyes and saw a platform built from piled corpses. Upon that platform sat a pressure so overwhelming that his body trembled. In that instant, he could not even lift his head.
The chill reached into his soul.
If the figure before him willed it, he could die in the next heartbeat.
Even when facing Kaori, Choso had never felt such terror. But before this unknown being, he could not even raise his gaze.
Who is this?
For me, a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, to be completely unable to move...
Lowering his eyes, Choso saw a fragment of a finger lying in the river of blood beneath him. The shriveled finger looked grotesque, yet its aura matched perfectly with the one on the platform.
A name rose unbidden in his mind. The name of the King of Curses.
Ryomen Sukuna.
Why am I seeing Sukuna here? Why can I see his finger?
Recalling Kaori's modifications to his body, he realized the power she had mentioned must have come from Sukuna's finger.
Perhaps only Sukuna's finger could make him stronger than Uraume.
But could he truly control the power of such a thing?
And Kaori... she was willing to use such a precious Cursed Object on him?
While he was still puzzled, a deep, hoarse voice echoed in his ears.
"Look up."
The crushing pressure vanished instantly, and his stiff body regained freedom.
Looking toward the throne, Choso saw Ryomen Sukuna resting his chin on his right hand, his face filled with boredom.
"So this is the one I'm supposed to lend my strength to? Pathetic."
"Blood Manipulation? That has potential."
Since he had already reached an agreement with Noritoshi, Sukuna decided to temporarily lend his power to the figure before him.
At least, in the hands of someone with Blood Manipulation, his finger would be safer.
Sukuna had no interest in seeing one of his fingers vanish mysteriously one day.
"I'll lend you my power."
With a casual wave of Sukuna's right hand, Choso felt the world tilt. He was flung away instantly, without even a chance to speak.
This was the power of the King of Curses.
As Sukuna's figure faded from view, Choso closed his eyes, feeling an immense surge of Cursed Energy boiling within him.
If he faced Uraume now, he would win—easily and decisively.
...
"You're awake."
Choso opened his eyes and heard Kaori's voice.
"Looks like it went smoothly. Sukuna has lent you his power. I have to say, I'm jealous. Cho-chan, you're stronger than me now."
Her smile carried an ease that made Choso wary.
Am I truly stronger than Kaori? His strength had multiplied several times over, but what about her?
The woman before him was shrouded in mystery.
Choso dared not underestimate her. If she could make a pact with Sukuna and obtain his power, it was entirely possible she possessed more of his fingers.
If she was willing to lend him one, she likely had others in her possession.
Choso had no doubt—if he acted against her, she could crush him with ease.
He would not lose his footing just because of a few flattering words.
"I'll complete whatever task you give me. Don't worry. I'm not stupid."
Choso put on his clothes and left.
He was headed back to Tokyo. While completing Kaori's mission, he would need to think about how to reunite with his brothers.
Watching Choso's figure disappear, Kaori's lips curved with amusement. She knew exactly what he wanted.
But unfortunately for him...
(To be continued.)
***
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