Chapter Text
Despite the 1095 days of being a jujutsu sorcerer Nanami Kento has only ever learned one thing from it.
That jujutsu sorcery is shit .
The brutality, corruption, the fatal disregard for the youth, are all hidden clauses the jujutsu society added to their contract for the bright-eyed obedient sorcerers to sign. For the purpose to snuff out the weak and push ‘strong’ sorcerers to their limits. A tactic of dominance that plays into the grand scheme of things.
It’s not about helping others or protecting weak to them. No, it’s a sick game of control and power play that Nanami wants nothing to do with.
As a young teen, Nanami can understand why he took on the role. It hasn’t changed honestly. Kids don’t really think of politics and what others are doing behind the scenes. Maturing has opened his eyes to those factors.
Maybe he is losing sight of that purpose because of the implications that has been forced upon him in the last three years, but he could care less at this point.
Seeing Yu being torn apart in front of him. Sacrificing himself, so Nanami , him of all people could continue to breath in this world. Is a good enough reason in his book to change his mind about all this jujutsu crap.
Especially since it occurred because of a simple intel error. A precious life taken away all because someone didn’t do proper research. Not giving an ounce of care that it could get students killed. Did get a student killed.
Students . They were only kids.
Yu was only a kid.
Although bigger part of Nanami will always see this as his failure to protect Yu. He could have been stronger, smarter and quick enough to get them out of that situation and let gods like Gojo deal with it.
But he didn’t because he failed.
A failure he sees every where he looks now and he can’t stand it.
“Kento, you got it from here.”
Nanami’s sureness wavered if the cost was truly worth the gain as a sorcerer. Which brings Nanami to conclude that he will peruse more opportunities besides jujutsu sorcery. People found worth in the average day life it seemed. Maybe he can find some form of comfort in that fact. Money is impactful maybe he can impact people’s lives with that.
God, who was he kidding.
Nevertheless, he was one short mission away from graduating and never seeing another sorcerer (if he was lucky) again.
Nanami followed quietly behind the older gentlemen sorcerer. He looked familiar like he came from the Zenin clan but Nanami didn’t care to get his name. It’s not like he will see him again after this anyway.
Twin footsteps echoed as they continued down the dark corridor. No windows or doors were seen through the seemingly endless building. The only source of light was the lantern his guide was carrying.
Nanami inwardly rolled his eyes at the dramatics of the sorcerers ancient antics. From what he read electricity doesn’t power the cursed object he is suppose to transit.
In reality, the mission really should have gone to Gojo as it dealt with the cursed object being almost above Grade 1 level. However for some odd reason, whether it be Gojos excessive pile of mission or what, this mission was slapped on to Nanami of all people. Who just was promoted to a grade 1 sorcerer mere months ago.
And of course, as circumstances have it, the mission before this was suppose to be his last.
Figures.
The immature part of himself at least thought this mission would be an easy one to end on. Take cursed object with him back to jujutsu tech then it’s over and he’s home free.
But the more intellectual and experience part of himself knew that it is never that easy. There was a reason why Gojo was assigned the case first and why he was taken off so randomly. The higher ups have motives for the littlest things. It could be nothing, sure but it still left a bad taste in Nanami’s mouth. Gojo could easily do this in two seconds. He’s one of the only sorcerers that has a teleportation technique. So honestly, too many missions wasn’t an excuse.
Sigh. Nanami can’t wait to quit.
They made their way down a spiral staircase that soon led to a much narrower hallway than before. After a fair bit more of walking through this seemingly endless passageway, it finally came to an end. Both sorcerers were met with a large single door with well lit torches on each side. Nanami scanned the numerous talismans that seem to glow in the firelight. Not to mention the seals that practically covered the door.
Just how powerful of cursed object was this?
The guides voice tore Nanami away from his thoughts. “The cursed vessel is here. It has been compliant as of late, so it should be no issue as I wrap the seals and bindings on it. However, you should be inside as a precaution.”
Vessel? Object and vessel are two distinctively different things. Although Nanami was suspicious that the type of the cursed item was left out, he didn’t question it too much at the time. Since all that it was was a controlled object he needed to transfer. But hearing vessel rang numerous alarms in Nanami’s brain. A vessel is also a human or sorcerer who can contain a cursed object and at rare times can stay in control of their body. So why talk like they are one in the same? And why not clarify Nanami before coming here? Nanami shook his head. He has no patients for humming and hawing to get answers so it may be best to see for himself and keep quiet.
He replied, “Understood.”
Putting the lantern to the side, the guide took out prehistoric large keys out and unlocked the door. The awful creek of the hinges and talismans chimed together as he pushed it open.
Any train of thoughts Nanami had came to an abrupt halt.
A moment or two passed by.
“What am I looking at?” His words came out stony and deadpanned.
Hundreds of candles lit up the cell. An array of seals covered every inch of the walls and floors. An abundance of similar talismans and charms from before were hanging from the ceiling. However they were all intricately placed in a circle formation. All surrounding a single thing,
A child.
A small child who didn’t look older than 7 years of age maybe even younger considering how tiny he was. The child’s small hands and feet were in chains that cemented to the ground. He was curled up in a ball with his knee tucked into his face. Shielding or hiding himself from whatever fate awaited him.
Nanami’s mission was to transport a cursed object. Not-not traffic a child?!
The Zenin guides voice interrupted his thoughts. “Were you not debriefed properly before coming here? I swear you young sorcerers these days have no proper work ethic. That is Sukana’s vessel. Although it appears to be a child, deep inside is the demon incarnated King of Curses. Interestingly enough, it does seems to have a unique control of Sukuna despite the 5 finger we force fed it.”
Nanami maybe only heard half of that as his thoughts were still racing. Force fed?! How long have they had this poor kid in the cell for? A cell would be a nice way of putting it considering how compact and freezing the room is with the only source of heat from the ritual candles. Plus the child only has a thin torn up robe on. He’s most likely cold and terrifie-
Focus. Nanami needs to focus.
What Nanami prides himself on is his usual cool headed approach when caught in difficult situations. He has tactic and can analyze missions without his emotions bleeding though. However, the mere sight of this malnourished and abused child is going against every instinct to approach this situation any way but with immediate rage.
Nanami felt his knuckles pop as he clenched his fists.
“..and what would happen when he is brought to jujutsu tech?” He said as even as he could.
The man had the nerve to scoff. “Well the accursed thing will get executed of course! That thing may still look like a child but it now shares the mind of The Calamity and it shall be exercised like the wretched curse it is!”
The inhuman insanity of sorcerers could rival any common curses if this is how they choose to handle an innocent child’s fate.
“..you intend to have me take this child to get executed despite him holding back the curse?” Anger seeping through Nanami’s words.
He heard the other sorcerer huff as if he had the right to lose patients in this situation. “You sentimental students need to grow up and understand the importance of duty. That thing is not a child anymore separate it from your puny mind.”
It is not unknown knowledge that each and ever sorcerer abide by their own standard and principals. They have particular values to drive them to successfully finish each and every task. It minimizes fatality rate and maximizes performances. Sadly, more often than not, morality of just the selfless act of saving another soul is not a common principal sorcerers choose to abide by. Sure they will end up saving the life if they have to. But really greed, power, and whatever other egocentric thought is the reason they continue to be a sorcerer. Usually, Nanami doesn’t bother thinking about coworkers/classmates ideals. Frankly it’s none of his business and he can’t do anything about it anyway.
However, when their values spread to his work and the innocents he chooses to save then it becomes an issue.
Nanami is truly tired of this.
Suddenly the boy decided to lift his head up from hiding. Instead of staring at ruffled unkept pink hair, Nanami now was looking at a face of a grim child. His cheek bones and dark circles seem to concave into his face. His lips were dehydrated and cracked. While his skin was practically white and bloodless. Although the child’s expression seemed vacant, his eyes were anything but. Nanami saw him . All of his soul. There was innocents and childlike love still there pleading, begging to get out.
The golden orbs locked eyes with Nanami’s.
The blonde sorcerer felt the air get sucked out of his chest.
He saw Yu.
“Has this child been in your care?” Nanami spoke smooth but clipped as the deep octave of his voice started to take over in the reveal of his anger.
Nanami would have seen the incredulous look from the Zenin however he chose not to break eye contact with the child who was looking for some form of comfort.
“Care? The most care I’ve done for that demon is give it a scraps of bread in the last two months, and that’s just to ensure it can be executed properly.”
Nanami felt as if his mind was thrown outside of his body. Every logical and sound thought was drowning in a wave of wrath and savagery with the pure instinct to punish .
Like when exercising something vile and evil.
Still meeting each others eyes, the blonde sorcerer made a down motion with his head. Although still expressionless, the child’s face
broke in slight confusion before he seemed to understand Nanami and put his head back down in his knees.
”You got it from here.”
Abhorrent sound of cracked bones and squelching of blood echoed through the cell and narrow corridor. The force alone sent the chimes on the talismans in a frenzy of ringings. The Zenin sorcerer choked in shock and utter horror as he began to process the fist that pierced through his chest and spine.
In a pathetic attempted to speak between the gurgling of coughed up blood he said, “wh-why?”
Nanami gripped the man’s spine as leverage to pull him close, nose to nose. The man responded like a fish gasping at the surface. “I’m not going to dignify you with a reason. As someone as wretched as you wouldn’t be able to comprehend it.” With that Nanami ripped his fist from the man’s chest letting him fall limp to floor with a thud. The blonde sorcerer than took out a small rag from the inside of his jacket pocket and wiped the gore from his hand as he stepped over the cooling corpse.
Nanami strictly sticks to a routine. No matter what it is. Everyday he will eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same time. Every pace in training and any form in study is done in a routine to be finished by the exact second. That includes his train of thoughts and steps he takes to make decisions. He thinks of implications of his actions and how it will affect the bigger pictures of the future. Nanami has not changed that thought process, since it has done nothing but work.
Until now.
But has Nanami got too assertive with how quick he is to understand when choosing routes of action? Or maybe his already thin patients has run out and he has chosen not to care about the outcome this may have at the moment. It is something to worry about later. At the present time there is an innocent child that needs to be saved.
With a wave of his hand the candles surrounding the boy were blown out. Leaving only the torches near the door behind Nanami as a source of light. The sorcerer than crouched down to level of the child. He attempted to soften his features a bit to seem as non threatening as possible despite the environment they are in. The child then looked back up sensing his close presence.
“It is alright little one. Although it may seem hard to believe, I am not here to do you any harm.” His voice came out gentle and smooth. “My name is Nanami Kento. May I know your name?” The kid seemed to only respond with an impassive expression. He would understand completely if the child chooses not to talk. It was possibly the only thing he has had control over in his young life. But his eyes seem to be calculating something. Was he studying Nanami’s intentions? No, the kids golden orbs were boring into the sorcerers very own. Same to what Nanami did moments ago. The child was trying to find something within Kentos soul.
A moment or two pass.
“My name is Yuuji.” His voice small and raspy. Slightly muffled by his knees pressed to his mouth.
Yuuji.
Nanami gave him a warm smile. It has been a while since he has felt the unfamiliar tug of the muscles by his lips but for Yuuji it came naturally.
“Yuuji is a very nice name.”
Yuuji blinks at him and Nanami swore he saw a small twitch that was close to returning his smile. But vanished as the kid looked away from the sorcerers face.
“Thank you.” Said shy yet politely.
Now with Yuuji a bit more comfortable off to the difficult part. Nanami then motioned to the chains. “May I get these off of you Yuuji? So that we can leave?”
The boy gripped the fabric around his thin robe tighter before nodding and presenting his wrists to Nanami. The sorcerer thought about just breaking the chains but then suddenly remembered the keys the Zenin has on him. He swiftly got up and retrieved the keys from the pocket of the man’s shirt. The heavy chains clunked together as they were released from Yuujis limbs. Dark rings of bruises and raw scabs were now more noticeable around his thin wrists and ankles. He heard the boy sniffle as Yuuji rubbed them to comfort himself.
The Zenin should of had a slower death.
Yuuji shivered as he stood up. The thin torn up robe pretty much swallowing the kid whole. That wouldn’t do. Nanami took his jacket off and proceeded to wrap it around Yuujis frail shoulders. A look of slight shock appeared on the boys face but he seem to accept it graciously as he wrapped it tighter around himself. Nanami easily smiled again in return.
“We are pretty far underground it maybe easier if I carry you out of here. If that is alright with you of course, Yuuji-chan.”
It took a moment for Yuuji to process his words, but much like a child he lifted his arms up and nodded in agreement. Nanami easily obliged lifting the (too light) kid up. Instantaneously, Yuuji wrapped his small arms around the sorcerer and proceeded to hide his face in his neck. The action squeezed Kento’s heart.
No matter the cost, if Yuuji is safe it will be worth the consequences.
——