Inside the secluded mountain hideout, Nobu sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor. His breath slowed… his heartbeat steadied… and for the first time, he willingly called out to the curse inside him.
A chilling voice echoed in his mind.
"Give me your body, Nobu. You and I… we are the same. Let me take over."
Nobu clenched his fists.
But instead of resisting, he spoke calmly:
"Fine… I'll give you my body."
The curse fell silent—shocked.
It had tormented Nobu for years. Manipulated him. Controlled him. But never… never had Nobu spoken back.
"One condition," Nobu continued.
"You will protect my people. My family. My friends. Once I save them… you can have my body. Until then, lend me your power."
The curse laughed softly.
A low, dangerous, almost amused sound.
"You dare make a contract with me? Very well, Nobu… but I do not trust you."
A surge of dark energy flooded through Nobu's veins—violent and overwhelming.
"I will give you only fifty percent of my power."
The moment the energy hit him, Nobu's entire body shook violently. His muscles shredded, healed, then tore again. Blood dripped from his nose.
The curse spoke with mocking delight:
"Your body can't handle even half my strength."
Finally, after watching Nobu struggle, the curse eased its power.
"Train with twenty percent. Survive that much first… then we'll talk."
Nobu exhaled sharply.
It felt like he was carrying a mountain on his back.
Baku's Training Begin
When Nobu told Baku everything, the old swordsman stared at him in disbelief.
"You… made a curse agree to a contract?"
Nobu nodded.
Baku chuckled loudly.
"You're insane, kid. But fine—let's see what you can handle."
He dragged a massive boulder—larger than Nobu's entire torso—and placed it on Nobu's back.
"One thousand push-ups."
Nobu's jaw dropped.
"You're joking…"
Baku didn't blink.
Didn't smile.
Didn't move.
Nobu tried.
He couldn't even do fifty.
His arms trembled, his breath broke, every muscle screamed.
Baku kicked the ground next to him.
"Again."
And Nobu tried again.
And again.
Days passed.
Blood soaked the ground below him.
Sweat drenched his clothes.
Pain wrapped every nerve.
But Nobu didn't stop.
He couldn't stop.
Because for the first time in years… he had hope.
Meanwhile…
Far from the mountains, Beru finally received the news he had prayed for.
"Boss… Nobu is alive."
Beru froze.
His eyes filled instantly—not with weakness, but with relief.
"Search everywhere," he ordered.
"Find him… no matter what."
In the Misaki Clan
Nobu's father lay in bed, heavily injured from the battle with the cursed Nobu.
The clan leaders were shaken.
"He survived… and he has become even stronger."
Whispers of fear spread through the clan halls.
Nobu's wife sat quietly, her hands trembling. She had seen him… after so many years—but not as the man she loved.
Her sons glared at her.
"Why do you still care about him? He tried to kill you, mother."
She didn't answer.
But deep inside her heart…
beneath the fear, beneath the lies, beneath the pain…
A tiny, unbreakable voice whispered:
"That wasn't Nobu."