Different Selfishness

The training room beneath the Grayson house shook with the impact of two bodies colliding at superhuman speed.

Mark went flying backward, crashing into the reinforced wall with enough force to crack the specialized material designed to withstand Viltrumite strength.

"You're telegraphing your movements," Megumi said calmly, lowering his hand. "Dropping your left shoulder before you charge gives away your intention."

Mark peeled himself from the wall, wincing slightly, "I wasn't telegraphing anything. You're just impossibly fast."

"Both can be true," Megumi replied with a slight smile. "But your father would say the same thing. Viltrumite combat relies on speed and overwhelming force, but proper technique multiplies effectiveness."

It was Saturday morning, and they had been training for nearly three hours. Nolan was away - something about a tsunami in the Philippines - leaving Megumi to continue Mark's combat instruction.

What had begun as a casual sparring session had evolved into an intensive training regimen over the past few weeks.

"Again," Megumi said, taking a ready stance. "This time, keep your shoulders level until the moment of commitment."

Mark nodded, determination replacing frustration on his face. He circled Megumi cautiously, looking for an opening. When he moved, it was with explosive speed - straight forward this time, no telegraphing.

Megumi sidestepped at the last possible moment, allowing Mark to pass him by millimeters. As Mark's momentum carried him forward, Megumi pivoted and delivered a precise strike to the back of Mark's neck - pulled just enough to avoid serious injury but hard enough to make his point.

"Better," he acknowledged as Mark stumbled but managed to keep his feet. "Your speed is improving. But you're still thinking like a human fighter with super strength, not a Viltrumite warrior."

Mark turned, rubbing his neck. "What's the difference?"

"Intent," Sukuna explained. "Human fighters, even exceptional ones, subconsciously hold back. There's a psychological barrier to causing serious harm. Viltrumites don't have that limitation. They commit fully to each attack, each movement."

"So I need to be more... ruthless?" Mark frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the concept.

"You need to be more committed," Megumi clarified. "There's a difference between ruthlessness and total commitment to action. One is about cruelty, the other about efficiency."

Mark considered this, then nodded slowly. "I think I get it. Like when Dad flies through a storm - he doesn't hesitate or flinch from the lightning. He just... goes."

"Exactly," Megumi said, pleased by Mark's understanding. "Now, try again. But this time, don't think about hitting me. Think about moving through me, as if I'm not even there."

Mark took a deep breath, centering himself. When he attacked this time, the difference was immediately apparent. His movement had a fluidity it had lacked before, something that made his already impressive speed seem even more devastating.

Megumi barely managed to deflect the strike, cursed energy flaring around his forearm as he redirected Mark's momentum. Even so, the force sent him sliding backward several feet.

"Good!" he said, genuine approval in his voice. "That's what I'm talking about."

Mark grinned, the expression transforming his face from serious combatant to excited teenager in an instant. "I felt the difference. It was like... everything got clearer."

"That's the Viltrumite combat mind-state," Megumi explained. "Total focus, total commitment. Your father has been trying to teach you this, but he's so accustomed to it that he struggles to articulate the concept to someone who hasn't experienced it."

They continued training for another hour, Mark improving noticeably with each exchange.

By the time they finally called a halt, both were covered in sweat, though Megumi considerably more so than his Viltrumite student - he was not as used to holding back in battle - let alone teaching - without harming.

"Water?" Mark offered, tossing a bottle from the small refrigerator in the corner.

Megumi caught it with a nod of thanks, taking a long drink before speaking again. "You're progressing faster than I expected. Your father will be impressed."

"Maybe," Mark said, his expression turning contemplative as he sat on a bench against the wall. "Sometimes I think nothing I do will ever be enough to impress him. He's been doing this for centuries, you know? Everything I'm just learning is... basic to him."

Megumi joined him on the bench, considering his response carefully.

The relationship between Mark and Nolan was complex - more so now that Mark knew the truth about his father's original mission.

Despite Nolan's choice to side with Earth, the revelation had created inevitable tension.

"Your father sees more in you than you realize," Megumi said finally. "He may not express it well, but your progress matters to him. Not just as a Viltrumite, but as his son."

Mark looked up, surprise evident in his expression. "He talks to you about me?"

"Sometimes," Megumi acknowledged. "Usually in the context of training, but yes. He's proud of how quickly you're adapting to your heritage."

A small smile touched Mark's lips. "Really? He never says anything like that to me."

"Viltrumite culture doesn't emphasize verbal affirmation," Megumi explained, drawing on what he'd learned from Nolan.

"They express approval through increased responsibility, greater challenges. When your father pushes you harder in training, that's his way of acknowledging your growth."

"That's... messed up," Mark said, though his tone was more thoughtful than accusatory.

"It's different," Megumi corrected. "Neither better nor worse than human expressions of approval, just adapted to a different cultural context."

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Then Mark spoke again, his voice quieter.

"Thanks for this, by the way. The extra training, I mean. And for... everything else."

Megumi raised an eyebrow. "Everything else?"

"You know," Mark gestured vaguely. "Stopping my dad from killing the Guardians. Giving him a chance to choose differently. Helping prepare for the Viltrumites when they come." He paused, then added, "Being my friend through all of it."

The simple sincerity in Mark's voice caught Megumi off guard.

For all his strategic planning and careful manipulation of events, he hadn't anticipated the genuine bond that had formed between them.

What had begun as a tactical alliance had evolved into something that felt remarkably like friendship - perhaps even brotherhood.

"You'd have done the same," Megumi replied, somewhat awkwardly. Expressions of gratitude and affection still felt foreign to him, remnants of his life as Sukuna, being in isolation for years. 

Only allowing Uraume to truly accompany him - she was the only one who's continued presence he tolerated.

Mark snorted. "No way. I'd have been clueless. If you hadn't confronted my dad, he would have killed the Guardians, and I would have believed whatever story he told me afterward." His expression grew somber.

"You saved more than just their lives, you know. You saved my family. My mom... she would have been devastated if she'd learned what Dad was planning the hard way."

Megumi nodded, acknowledging the truth in Mark's words.

Debbie Grayson had indeed taken the revelation of her husband's true nature better than anyone might have expected - largely because Nolan had chosen to tell her himself, to explain his change of heart, rather than having his deception exposed after a violent act.

"Your father made the hard choice," Megumi said. "I just created the circumstances where that choice became clear to him."

"Still," Mark insisted, "I owe you. Big time."

"You don't owe me anything," Megumi replied, uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had taken. "We're preparing for a common threat. Cooperation is logical."

Mark laughed. "See, - this is what I've noticed - that's such a Sukuna thing to say, when you're all in that 'hero' persona. All cold and logical on the surface, but I know better now."

He punched Megumi's shoulder lightly - though 'lightly' for a Viltrumite still carried enough force to make Megumi brace himself with cursed energy. "You care. You just don't like admitting it."

Before Megumi could formulate a suitably deflective response, the door to the training room opened, and Debbie Grayson appeared, carrying a tray laden with sandwiches and drinks.

"I thought you boys might be hungry after all that training," she said, setting the tray on a small table near the door. "I could hear the impacts from upstairs, you know. My poor house."

"Sorry, Mom," Mark said, not sounding particularly apologetic as he zipped across the room to inspect the food. "Oh, awesome! You made the spicy chicken ones!"

Debbie smiled indulgently at her son before turning her attention to Megumi. "Thank you for working with him. His father's training methods are a bit... intense sometimes."

"Nolan understands power," Megumi said diplomatically. "But teaching requires a different approach."

"Exactly," Debbie agreed, surprising Megumi with her perceptiveness.

"Nolan expects Mark to learn the way he did - through centuries of experience and trial by fire. He forgets that Mark is still growing into his abilities."

She watched as her son devoured a sandwich with typical teenage enthusiasm, affection evident in her expression. Then, more quietly, she added, "He's lucky to have you as a friend, Megumi. Someone who understands both worlds he's straddling."

Before Megumi could respond, she turned back toward the door. "Don't train too much longer. Mark has homework, and I suspect you have other commitments today as well."

After she left, Mark returned to the bench, carrying the tray with him. "Mom's right, you know," he said, offering Megumi a sandwich. "About understanding both worlds. You get the superhero stuff, but you also get what it's like to be... different.

I don't know how to explain it, but I just feel like you do. Maybe it's because you also have a secret identity, I guess."

Megumi accepted the sandwich, considering Mark's words. There was truth in them, though not in the way Mark imagined. He did indeed understand living between worlds, maintaining separate identities - but on a far more profound level than Mark could guess.

"It's a common experience among powered individuals," he said finally. "The division between public and private selves."

Mark nodded, his mouth full of sandwich. After swallowing, he asked, "So what's on your agenda today? More mysterious Sukuna business - since you apparently can know things by seeing the 'spiritual'?"

"Meeting with Eve," Megumi replied, ignoring the sceptiscism in Mark's tone. "We're continuing work on the quantum destabilizer project."

"Just the two of you?" Mark asked, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

Megumi gave him a sharp look. "It's a technical consultation, not a social engagement."

"Right, right," Mark said, his tone suggesting he believed otherwise. "It's just... Eve's been different lately. Especially around you. Haven't you noticed?"

"Different how?" Megumi asked, though he knew precisely what Mark meant.

"I don't know. More intense? Like, she's always been super focused, but now it's like she's got this... laser focus on you specifically." Mark took another bite of his sandwich, chewing thoughtfully. "William thinks she has a crush on you."

Megumi maintained his neutral expression with effort. "William should focus on his own social life rather than speculating about others'."

Mark laughed. "That's not a denial! Oh man, wait till I tell William he was right."

"There's nothing to be right about," Megumi said firmly. "Eve and I are colleagues working on a critical project. Nothing more."

"If you say so," Mark replied, clearly unconvinced. "But just so you know, she's never invited any of the rest of us to fancy restaurants for 'apology dinners.'"

Megumi narrowed his eyes. "How did you know about that?"

"Eve mentioned it to Kate, who told William, who told me," Mark explained with the casual air of someone accustomed to the high school gossip network.

"The Teen Team isn't exactly great at keeping secrets from each other."

"Evidently," Megumi muttered, making a mental note to be more cautious about public interactions with Eve.

If their dinner had already become team gossip, her behavior was likely attracting more attention than he'd realized.

Mark, misinterpreting Megumi's concern, raised his hands placatingly. "Hey, no one's judging. Eve's great. Smart, pretty, super-powered... you could do worse."

"There is nothing between Eve and me," Megumi stated, his tone making it clear the subject was closed.

Mark wisely dropped the topic, though the knowing smirk remained on his face as he finished his sandwich.

"So," he said after a moment, clearly searching for a safer subject, "when do we tell the Guardians about the quantum destabilizer? The Immortal's been asking for updates on our 'anti-Viltrumite measures.'"

"When we have something concrete to show them," Megumi replied, grateful for the change in conversation. "Theoretical progress won't satisfy them, and premature disclosure risks Cecil getting ansty before we're ready."

Mark nodded, his expression growing more serious. "Yeah, he's been asking questions. About Dad, about you, about what really happened in the Flaxan dimension. He's suspicious."

"Cecil is always suspicious," Megumi said dryly. "That's his job. But without evidence, he'll maintain his distance. He's too pragmatic to antagonize potential assets without cause."

"I guess," Mark agreed, though he didn't sound entirely convinced. "Still, it feels like we're juggling a lot of secrets. Not the big stuff - everyone knows about Dad's original mission now - but the details.

Like how much of your power you're really holding back. Or exactly what happened between you two in the Flaxan dimension - you said you don't want anyone to know about Mahoraga besides us five.

Cecil keeps pushing for more information, and I can tell he doesn't trust that we've told him everything."

"That's the nature of preparation," Megumi said with a shrug.

"Information control is as important as technological development or combat training. The right knowledge in the wrong hands can be more dangerous than any weapon."

Mark sighed. "Sometimes I miss when life was simpler. When all I had to worry about was keeping up my grades and hiding my powers from my friends."

"Simplicity is a luxury rarely afforded to those with power," Megumi replied, his voice carrying a hint of the ancient wisdom that occasionally slipped through his careful facade. "With ability comes complexity, always."

"That's deep, man," Mark said, a small smile returning to his face. "You should put that on a poster or something."

Megumi allowed himself a slight smile in return. "I'll consider it."

They finished their meal in companionable silence, the easy camaraderie between them a testament to how far their friendship had evolved since Megumi's arrival in this world.

What had begun as strategic positioning had become genuine connection - a development that both surprised and occasionally concerned Megumi.

Attachments were vulnerabilities, after all.

Caring made one predictable, exploitable. Yet he couldn't deny the value of having Mark's trust, nor the strange satisfaction he found in having friends.

As they cleaned up and prepared to end the training session, Mark spoke again, his tone casual but his words carefully chosen. "You know, whatever happens with the Viltrumites... I'm glad you're on our side, Megumi. I can't imagine facing this without you."

The simple sincerity in Mark's voice struck an unexpected chord within Megumi.

For a moment, the strategic calculations and careful manipulations that had defined his approach to this new life fell away, leaving only the recognition of a truth he hadn't fully acknowledged until now.

He wasn't just preparing Earth for the Viltrumite threat out of self-preservation or strategic necessity.

He was doing it, at least in part, because he had found something worth protecting. People worth protecting.

Mark, with his earnest optimism and unwavering loyalty. Debbie, with her quiet strength and remarkable resilience. Uncle Kenji with his effortless kindness.

Even Nolan, with his complex struggle between duty and desire.

And Eve... wit her... His feelings towards Eve were complicated.

He knows he cares about her as a friend, certainly, but... Despite his own verbal denial, she has been growing on him with her continued shows of acceptable affection.

"I'm on the right side," Megumi replied after a moment, his voice carrying a certainty that surprised even him.

Mark nodded, understanding the weight behind the simple statement. "See you tomorrow for patrol?"

"As planned," Megumi confirmed. "Northeastern quadrant, 8 PM."

As they exited the training room, Megumi found himself reflecting on the strange path that had brought him to this moment.

From the King of Curses to a mentor for a half-alien teenager. From a being of pure selfishness to someone who now found himself... caring.

It was an uncomfortable realization, yet not an entirely unwelcome one.

Perhaps integration wasn't just about merging his various lives and memories, but about finding a new balance between the hedonistic self-interest of his past life and the potential for connection that his new life offered.

The thought was still unsettling, still foreign to decades of solitary existence. 

Still, he has already grown to understand that it is not the weakness he believed it to be. He simply needs to live with it more and more as time passes.

For that's all there was left for him,

Acceptance.

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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

Do tell me how you found it.

Yeah, look, Sukuna has since earlier chapters already made up his mind on him being wrong in his way of view, since he lost. That's the thing with the strong, till they are proven wrong, they won't change.

Sukuna is still changing. Connection, friendship, is still foreign to him, since his life as Sukuna has been far longer than both his other lives combined. It's like learning away a habit - its extremely difficult.

His way of thinking has always been in the most selfish and conceited manner possible.

He's slowly learning to keep that, but incorporate people he cares about into that framework, where his indulgence in pleasure, includes being selfish in a way that protects them.

So basically - 'I will burn the world down to protect my family' type thing.

So yeah, I hope once again you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope to see you all later,

Bye!)