Ryomen Sukuna

The sea had been calm for days, almost painfully so. Nothing but endless blue stretched beyond the ship, the waves gently rocking the vessel as the crew busied themselves with meaningless chores just to pass the time. Spirits had begun to sink. Quiet conversations lingered around the deck, doubts whispered whenever Sukuna wasn't within earshot. They'd been sailing for weeks, chasing after a creature most of them were convinced didn't exist.

Sukuna ignored them, he'd seen it.

Months ago, while passing through these same waters, he'd caught a glimpse of shimmering scales beneath the surface. They had flashed beneath the sunlight like scattered jewels before disappearing into the depths. Most would've dismissed it as a trick of the light. Sukuna didn't, he wanted it. Around a century ago, merfolk had lived alongside pirates. They guided ships through violent storms, led lost crews safely home, and saved countless sailors from waters that should've swallowed them whole. The sea had belonged to both of them. Then greed ruined everything.

Someone discovered that a merfolk's tears possessed miraculous healing properties, capable of curing illness and mending even fatal wounds. It didn't take long before hunters replaced friends. Pirates began capturing them, forcing tears from them, ripping away their shimmering scales to sell for ridiculous amounts of gold. Before long, the merfolk vanished into the deepest parts of the ocean, avoiding humans entirely. Sukuna had no need for their tears. He wasn't sick, wasn't injured. He simply wanted one because he could. Because he wanted it. Its scales alone would earn a fortune, but that wasn't enough to satisfy him. He wanted a living treasure. Something beautiful enough to make lesser men jealous. A creature that belonged to him and him alone. So they sailed. A few more days passed before Kenjaku, lazily leaning against the ship's railing, hoping to see something behinds the boring sea; then suddenly narrowed his eyes toward the water. "...Captain."

Sukuna glanced over. Kenjaku pointed toward the waters. "There, it’s either a shiny fish or your prize.." he hummed as he watched the figure move in the water with grace, just beneath the surface, something shimmered. A long tail drifted effortlessly alongside the ship, scales catching the afternoon sunlight with every movement. Blues melted into greens, silvers into violets, each flick of the tail scattering light across the waves.

Sukuna's grin spread almost immediately. "There you are." He crossed the deck in only a few strides, stopping at the edge of the ship while never taking his eyes off the figure below. The merfolk seemed almost curious, swimming alongside the vessel without a hint of fear. "Get the net ready." His voice carried easily across the deck. The crew immediately snapped into motion. Thick ropes were dragged across the wooden planks while Choso hauled over the massive weighted net normally reserved for creatures far larger than any ordinary fish. Hooks were checked, knots tightened, everyone moving with practiced precision.

No one questioned the order. They never did. Sukuna waited patiently, watching every movement beneath the waves. Eventually the creature began drifting away from the ship, heading toward a cluster of jagged sea rocks jutting from the water. "There.” The single word was all it took. Choso launched the net. The heavy weights tore through the air before crashing into the sea with a deafening splash. The ropes hissed across the deck as the net sank rapidly, spreading wide beneath the surface before drawing shut around its target.

Water crashed against the hull as the merman thrashed violently, his powerful tail striking against the tightening ropes. Waves splashed across the deck while the crew dug their heels into the wood, struggling to keep hold as the net jerked against them. For a brief second, it looked like he'd break free. Then the ropes tightened. Then "Pull."

Several men leaned back with everything they had, hauling the weighted net toward the surface inch by inch. Water poured through the thick cords as the catch slowly emerged from the sea. There he was.

A merman.

Entangled within the heavy net, he twisted and fought with everything he had, scales gleaming brilliantly beneath the afternoon sun, squirming and thrashing as they tried to get free.