Chapter Text
Itadori Yuji gazed upon what remained of Shinjuku, finding nothing better to do with his first moment of respite in forever.
There was not much to examine, even after almost a year.
Sitting on a slab of concrete that was surely part of some building at some point in the past, Yuji recalled the words of his friend back in Shibuya.
“All things are impermanent,” huh? A cold wind brushed over his face, slightly tickling his scars. He shook his head, a smile that carried all but mirth burdening his features. This really was the end, he realized. All the major threats were wrapped up, and while there were still loose ends to take care of, it really was the end.
Naturally, it would take a great amount of time for the nation and its people to recover. All forms of normalcy had been lost in the chaos of the Culling Games, but it could all be reclaimed. The people would be alright from now on.
Yuji understood all of this on an intellectual level, but why then?
Why couldn’t he accept it?
Here he was, back at the scene, brooding on his lonesome. He should be doing his best to move past this, he should be looking towards the future, but here he was, insisting on the past.
What exactly was he seeking here?
“Do you want an answer to that question?” A voice interrupted his spiralling.
Yuji snapped to attention, Cursed Energy enveloping him. He didn’t move from his seat, but that was no indication of nonchalance.
His eyes fixed on the owner of the voice. It was a woman, dressed in a brown coat, a white blouse and slacks. Her black hair was straight and almost touched the ground as she stood there casually, hands in pockets. She looked like an average office woman, completely out of place in the Shinjuku of today.
Yuji was lost for words.
“Uh..?” He had been prepared for a fight, as there was virtually no one he didn’t know who would come to this cursed place.
She took her right arm out of her pocket and waved—- the action carried out with levity that had no place in the currrent interaction— before returning it.
Confusion was still all Yuji knew at that moment. He tried to recall if he had ever met this strange woman before, but came up with nothing.
“Okay, who are you?” He finally asked.
The woman blinked, as if he was the one being strange.
“Don’t look at me like that, I’m genuinely lost here??” He challenged.
“Ah, apologies. We tend to forget that most humans can’t recognixe us for whatwe are at a glance,” She finally said, offering a small bow.
“‘Humans’...?” Yuji echoed, even more confused. He could tell she wasn’t a Curse, she didn’t even seem like a sorcerer to him. His eyes narrowed on her. And why was she addressing herself like that?
She waved his question off, opening her mouth again.
“Please, ignore the details. We asked a question earlier, did we not?”
‘No, but the details are really important here, aren’t they!?’ Yuji exclaimed to himself as he thought back to her question and what she could possibly mean.
The only thing that came up was the question he had asked himself regarding the past. But that couldn’t be it, he was certain he hadn’t spoken out loud till she arrived. Mind reading..?
‘That can’t be.’ He thought, shaking his head.
“Look, lady..I’m stumped here, what exactly do you want?” He groaned, a mild annoyance at her antics rising within him.
“You humans, have you never learned that the most obvious answer is usually correct?”
“I’m particularly ignorant, enlighten me please.” Yuji replied in an obvious mocking tone.
The woman shook her head as if disappointed.
“Very well, We shall address you, impudence notwithstanding. Itadori Yuji,” Yuji jumped to his feet as the woman’s presence completely changed.
“We ask you,” she continued. “Do you truly want to know what you seek in the past?”
Yuji took two steps away from the woman, once again lost for words. ‘She really did read my mind! A technique? Why? What does she expect to do with my answer?’ Yuji continued to ask himself these questions, but the mysterious entity didn’t seem to share his patience.
“Will you not answer, Itadori Yuji?”
Yuji swallowed. This thing was dangerous. He should be attacking it, if not running away at that very moment.
But he hesitated, his actions locked by the foolish sentiments he, without a doubt, harbored.
Itadori Yuji continued to dwell on the past, despite its very nature demanding he didn’t. He held within an unrealistic expectation of this woman. He wondered, if he gave her his answer, what would happen?
He lowered his arms, which he had raised in a stance. He met the dark eyes of the being before him, his a mirror of the barren Shinjuku around them.
“I want to know,” He spoke.
The woman smiled.
“And what are you willing to give to know?”
“Everything I deem as ‘mine’.” He answered without hesitation.
The being chuckled, looking genuinely amused. Yuji understood why she had laughed, no… he had begun to understand her nature and thus understood what she might have found funny.
“But, Itadori Yuji…” And as expected, he was right.
“You have little left in this world.” The cadence of her voice was full of mirth that one would expect of something truly joyous, but it was simply the world finding amusement in its own cruelty.
Yuji did not contest her claim, for it was the truth.
The woman’s laughter petered out, as she finally spoke again.
“Are you trying to cheat the heavens, former vessel? Amusing. But no matter, the decision has been made,” She shrugged.
“Decision? What?” He asked. He had recognized the vastness of the being before him, and wasn’t exactly excited about the decision she spoke of.
“We have decided to bless you, Itadori Yuji. Of course, as one who has known nothing but curses, this will seem bizarre to you, but like I said, the decision has been made,” She began to walk towards him.
Yuji tensed, attempting to widen the distance, only to realize he was now frozen.
He couldn’t even speak.
She had arrived in front of him, her hand then made its way to his forehead.
“We are not unjust, a fact you should know as a Jujutsu Sorcerer. We weigh all things against each other, and take action in response to the worth we recogmixe. An existence built on contracts. Itadori Yuji, you have been weighed, and now you shall be contracted. Your verbal agreement in unneeded, as your soul speaks with more truth,” She paused, bringing her face close to Yuji’s.
“As for your end of this contract? Well, you’ve stated your answer already, haven’t you? Farewell, Itadori Yuji. Act as is your nature, seek what you claim unknown, and on this same day, we shall ask you.”
Yuji’s consciousness began to dim, his awareness shutting off as the woman finally finished her speech.
“We shall ask you: did you find it?”
Amd then, he was gone.
…..
…..
Pain was all Yuji knew as he forced his eyes open, a wave of vertigo overcame him as he attempted to rise to his feet, causing him to stumble into the wall of a nearby building. He cursed under his breath as his palm strained against the coarse concrete, bearing his full weight.
A few seconds of collecting himself, and he was ready to try again. This time, he succeeded. Yuji looked around, his eyes taking in his surroundings.
“Where am I..?” He asked out loud and got nothing for his troubles.
He could hear the familiar cacophony of traffic flowing in from the mouth of the particularly dark alley he found himself in. He turned his head to the sky, meeting with the orange of evening.
Yuji deduced that he had ended up in some city, he vowed to give that strange woman a piece of his mind when next he met her, if he ever did.
He thought back to her strange words, not able to make sense of them.
“First I have to get in touch with the others,” He murmured, already making his way towards the strret beyond. He stepped over a puddle of suspicious looking liquid, his annoyance with the sudden ordeal steadily growing. He also didn't carry his phone along earlier in the day, adding to his exasperation.
Yuji emerged onto a busy street. Traffic was heavy at this time of day, as it was the time most workplaces closed. Yuji muttered an apology to a pedestrian who he had accidentally obstructed. He scratched the back of his head, a little confused. There was something about the city that seemed familiar.
It was gnawing at his brain, and he was sure he would kick himself for struggling this much when he actually remembered. He stopped a pssing high schooler, the girl giving him an odd look. Yuji guessed it was the scars.
“Excuse me, what city of this?” He asked, the embarassment of having to ask such a question killing him inside.
The girl raised an eyebrow, and was starting to look worried.
Yuji took a step away from her, which caused the girl to calm down.
“Uh… this is Shinjuku, sir,” She said as she scurried away.
“Sir..? Wait! Did she just say Shinjuku!?’ Yuji’s mind blanked. His brain refused to accept her answer. Shinjuku? This place?
He took in the city once again, the people. There was no agitation around him, the lingering fear that had become commonplace since the Shibuya incident was nowhere to be found.
Yuji refused to accept it. It did look like Shinjuku, but he refused to accept it.
He began to walk, merging with the crowd. He walked till the sky darkened before he began to think again.
He was standing on a small pedestrian bridge in who knows where. A little distance away, a group of older men were laughing and smoking.
Itadori looked over the city once more. In the darkness, it was little more than a collection of light from buildings and vehicles. But it was real.
Yuji sighed. At first he thought he was in some sort of domain, but that theory had crumbled quickly. His walk had been plagued by increasingly ridiculous theories for why Shinjuku seemed to not only exist, but thriving. He heard no one talking about curses, or any of the recent tragedies. Now, after cooling off, he remembered one of the woman’s statemeents.
“The obvious explanation is usually the right one.” Yuji had reluctantly accepted that this really was Shinjuku. It was real. But how?
He sighed and walked over to the group that shared the bridge with him.
“Yo,” He greeted, causing four heads to turn to him.
“Huh?” One said, taking his cigarette out of his lips.
“A high schooler? Woah, those are some pretty bad scars..” Another intoned, scrutinizing him.
“What you want kid?” A third asked, blowing smoke as his feet dangled from his seat on the guard rails.
Yuji ignored the others, and his better judgement, answering the man. “Can I borrow your cell? Need to call someone real quick.”
The man studied him, taking another puff.
“You got some balls, but fine,” He reached into his pockets, drawing out a phone before tossing it to Yuji.
Catching it effortlessly, Yuji raised an eyebrow.
‘A flip phone? Haven’t seen one of these in ages!’
Still knowing how to work the ancient artifact, Yuji powered it on, and was shocked once again.
The time was past eight p.m, but that wasn’t what drew his attention.
“Sorry, is the date on this correct?” Yuji sputtered, a subtle dread rising within him.
“Huh? Of course it is, are you alright in the head kid?” The phone’s owner asked, giving him a strange look.
“But then… no, it can’t be.”
The man clicked his tongue, snatching a phone from one of his buddies and shoving the screen into Yuji’s face. It was another flip phone.
Yuji took in a sharp breath as the same date stared at him from within the small screen.
August 10, 2006.
He quietly handed the phone back to its owner and turned his back on them, walking away.
He heard their voices saying something to him, but he had not the mind to glean any meaning from them, the only thing in his mind being a constant replay of his interaction with that woman.
“Do you wish to know?” A step.
“We shall bless you.” Two steps.
“You have been weighed, Itadori Yuji.” Another step.
“Act as is your nature.” He continured walking.
“We will ask you, did you find it?” He finally stopped.
Yuji turned his face to the sky, as if searching for the woman’s visage among the black expanse. He understood it now.
He had realized that the woman was no woman, he even had a guess as to what she really was, but his imagination had been too limited. A blessing, she had called it.
Standing in a world that did not know him, Yuji accepted it. His feelings might not agree, but his snese of dutty would hear no opposition. This really was a blessing.
The world had been rewinded, a do-over had been offered.
Yuji thought upon the ramifications, and he wept.
He allowed himself that much.
……
……
An hour and half had passed since the revelation, and Yuji now stood at the base of a mountain at the edges of Western Tokyo. The air was clean and the place was pitch black in the moonless night. Despite this, Yuji could make his way around just fine. He fixed a look on a set of meandering stairs that would take him to the entrance of Tokyo’s Jujutsu High.
If he actually brought himself to step on them.
Yuji wasn’t stupid, he already understood the implications of his arrival in this time period, it was something he had single-mindedly ruminated upon during his train ride to this place. Gojo Satoru would still be a high-schooler, the Star Plasma Vessel could still be alive and Geto Suguru could still be a Jujutsu Sorcerer.
These were things worthy of much consideration, especially since he was perfectly placed to make a change here. Yuji had resolved himself to fix just as much as was in his power to fix, and maybe, just maybe, it would be enough.
So why was he hesitating to take that first step?
Memories flashed along his mind, of his teacher, smiling and asserting his future victory. Then of the same teacher, dying, light fading from his eyes.
He would see him again, but it would not be truly him. Yuji wasn’t prepared for that.
He grit his teeth as his fist clenched. This was not the time to be weak, for all he knew, Gojo was already on the mission to protect the Star Plasma Vessel and every second he spent doing nothing would be driving the world closer to the state he dreaded the most.
Yuji took the step, and began to climb. It was long and would’ve been tiring to most others, but Yuji hardly felt any strain as he finally reached the end and stood face to face with a Torii gate.
He paused, wondering if Tengen would let him in. He was stil wearing his Jujutsu High uniform, but that might not count as a pass, since he wasn’t even a student here at this time.
Yuji also realized how suspicious it would be for someone who didn’t exist in any database (except maybe as a 3 year old kid) to suddenly waltz into a highly secretive compund, donning their colors.
Looking up at the gate, Yuji decided to take a gamble.
First he took off his jacket, leaving the red hoodie underneath, then heated up a small drop of blood he obtained from pricking his finger and used it to mar the spiral design on the buttons. Stashing the jacket in a nearby thicket, Yuji walked up to the gates again, and opened his mouth.
Releasing his hold on his Cursed Energy, letting it flow forth with all the power he had amassed but saw no inherent value in, he spoke.
“Let me in,Tengen. I have things to discuss regarding Kenjaku.”
His gamble was effective. Taking efforts to ruin the design of his uniform was only for the benefit of the staff, the thing that truly mattered was getting Tengen’s attention. Kenjaku’s name proved perfect for the task.
Yuji didn’t do this solely for permission to enter the grounds, but for laying the groundwork for the changes he wished to enforce. Perfect preparation.
There was a palpable shift in the air, and Yuji returned to concealing his energy as best as he could. He walked through the gates, meeting no resistance, and it didn’t seem like any alarm went off either.
Yuji made his way to where he thought Yaga would be located, his heart twisting as he remembered that the man too had died an unfair death.
He was about to knock before realizing that the man might not be the principal yet. Yuji’s lack of information reared its head once again.
Pullng back his hand, he scratched the back of his head.
“Who are you?” A thick voice asked from behind, Yuji turned to see a man that looked so much like who he was searching for, and so different.
His hair was much more lower cut, and he lacked his signature glasses. But it was undoubtedly Yaga Masamichi. The man didn’t seem on edge, Yuji wondered why.
“Name’s Yuji… was looking to uh, apply?” He answered awkwardly, all his confidence breaking apart at his first contact with what he used to know.
“I know that much, Tengen-sama informed me. Who are you really?”
Tengen already advocated for him? So fast? Why?
Yuji had assumed that, while his words would interest Tengen, it would also put her on alert. There had to be something he was missing.
Still, confused or not, Yuji had to give an answer to Yaga. He opened his mouth, providing an identity that might even do more to describe his nature than his own name.
“I’m a Jujutsu Sorcerer,” He said.
Yaga stared at him for what felt like forever before nodding. “I see, follow me then, Yuji. I’ll sign you up.”
He then turned and began to make his way to another part of the school. Yuji followed, staying silwnt.
“Tengen-sama stated that she would like to meet you, but will not do so till Gojo Satoru returns,” Yaga said, as if making small talk.
‘So she is wary!’ Yuji thought. There was only one reason to wait for Gojo’s return, protection.
“Got it, where did Gojo Satoru go anyway?” He asked, already learning his lesson from Hakari.
“An important mission from Tengen-sama. They should return tomorrow morning."
Yuji’s heart skipped a beat. ‘This is it!’
He thanked whatever gods existed that he hadn’t wasted too much time getting here. It was almost midnight now, but that was plenty of time for him to prepare to interfere.
“Sorry for coming in this late, you must have been resting,” He said to Yaga, who hadn’t stopped walking.
“Its fine, wasn’t sleeping anyway,” The older man grunted. Yuji felt that made some sense, his students were on a high stakes mission. No matter how strong they were, there would always be some sense of uncertainty.
Yuji didn’t reply. He remained silent as they finally arrived at Yaga’s office, remained silent as he filled a form and wrote down “Shrine” as his Cursed Technique, remained silent under the questioning glance Yaga shot his way.
And finally, when it was all over. Yaga showed him to a room that was barely furnished save for a sad looking futon.
“Bear with this for now, it’ll be fixed up for you soon.”
“Yeah, it’s no problem, really.”
After that, Yuji was left alone.
He didn’t stay in the room for long, hopping up to the roof and taking a seat there.
He remained still like that for hours, till the first ray of dawn appeared.
Then he stood.
“Time to head for the corridor,” He murmured.
That was where he had seen those blood stains back then, it must be where the fight occured.
Yuji took a deep breath, steeling himself. Then in a moment, he vanished.
It was time to begin.
……
……
Geto Suguru was on edge.
As the crude elevator that would take him, Kuroi and Amanai Riko to the Tombs of the Star Corridor steadily descended further underground, his mind did not stay with it. All he could think of was the blade protruding from Gojo Satoru’s sternum. All he wanted to do was stay and assist in burying the assailant, but his duties demanded other things from him.
He briefly shot a glance at Riko, who proved just as susceptible to the nerves, greatly contrasting her inital bravado. He couldn’t blame her, after all, if she chose to go through with the assimilation, she would cease to be herself, no matter what semantics she used to cope with such a reality.
He recognized the importance of her role, its significance to the continued stability of Jujutsu Society. But still, he harbored a foolish wish that she would desire to keep living.
Suguru sighed quietly, he was getting distracted. Now was not the time to get lost in thought. He trusted Satoru’s capabilities, but caution had never worked against anyone.
The elevator finally reached its destination, and all its passengers disembarked. Suguru watched with a sad heart as Riko said her farewells to the woman who had been her family for as long as she could remember.
There was a certain beauty to the melancholy, Suguru admitted. Even if the situation wasn’t ideal, at least she was getting closure. The two embraced, and Suguru smiled, but then..
“Gojo-se-, Gojo-san isn’t with you?” An unfamiliar voice asked. Geto immediately moved in between its source and his charge, a black schism opening in the very fabric of reality, revealing the menacing head of his Rainbow Dragon.
Geto finally examined the stranger. He was a fairly tall man around his age, wearing a red hoodie and black pants. He had unusual pink hair and was scarred on different parts of his face. He stood a few paces away and didn’t exude any hostility.
‘A curse user? Sorcerer? Damn it, I can’t tell!’
“Who the hell are you?’ Suguru asked, ignoring the man’s question. The stranger smiled awkwardly, clearly not feeling the same anxiety that currently plagued Suguru.
“Call me Yuji, new student. Second year,” He introudced himself, acting like he wasn’t being incredibly suspicious.
Suguru didn’t trust him one bit. A new student? He hadn’t heard anything about that. And why would a new student be here of all places, asking for Satoeu?
The Rainbow Dragon brought more of its great length into reality, expressing Suguru’s dissatisfaction with the man’s levity.
“Hey, calm down calm down. I swear I’m not hostile, I’m just here to help!” He raised his hands, trying to pacify Suguru.
“I hardly have time to play twenty questions, give me a very good reason to trust you right now,” Suguru threatened.
The man— Yuji— seemed to think for a few seconds before snapping his fingers.
“The fact that I’m here is enough, no? Tengen herself vouched for me to Yaga-sensei, and I wasn’t rejected by the barriers!”
Suguru was momentarily shocked, Tengen vouched for him? If that was true, then there was something to Yuji he wasn’t seeing.
Suguru was still thinking when Yuji’s voice interrupted him.
“Also, while I really don’t mean any harm, I don’t think you could do anything even if I did,” He said, casually. Just as Suguru was about to retort, a wave of suffocating Cursed Energy enveloped the space. It was so potent, Suguru could’ve been convinced that it was solid matter.
“No way…” Riko lamented from behind him.
Suguru gritted his teeth, straining against the pressure, before it suddenly vanished.
“Sorry about that, I really am on your side, but I need you to understand,” Yuji said, taking a step closer.
Suguru didn’t react this time, he simply stared.
‘What a monster, he’s even feels more oppressive than Satoru currently does..’
“So, back to my original question. Where’s Gojo?”
“Right behind us, he’ll arrive soon,” Suguru said, hoping his words were true.
Yuji nodded. “I see, I see. So are you waiting for him or will you deliver the vessel to Tengen first?”
“We aren’t waiting..but first, Riko-chan?” Suguru called to the girl who had now relaxed, but was still shooting a wary look Yuji’s way.
“Yeah..?” She answered, hesitantly.
“Are you sure about this?” He simply asked. He had initially prepared a short speech that would relieve whatever fears she had, but at the moment, he felt this was appropriate.
Riko, Kuroi and Yuji all looked shocked by his question. The girl in question looked unsure, eyes turned down.
“Geto-sama, what are you asking?” Kuroi stammered out.
“Wouldn’t that be bad?” Yuji asked, seeming like he didn’t care too much, despite his words.
Geto glanced at both of them in succession, he was a bit wary of Yuji, but a part of him whispered that the man wouldn’t interfere, whatever choice was made here.
They all waited patiently for Riko to answer, and just as the girl began to shed tears, proclaiming her desire to keep living, the elevator that had returned to the top earlier came back.
Everyone simultaneously froze as the machine finally arrived.
Suguru’s eyes widened.
A tall, muscular man stepped out, wielding a large sword with what looked like a tuft of fur at iits guard.
It was the assassin.
“How…are you here?” Suguru heard himself asking, but deep down, he already arrived at an answer.
“Ah, it’s nice that you’re all here…but who are you?” The man ignored him, looking at Yuji, who was already in a stance.
“Answer my question, bastard,” Suguru hissed, summoning the Rainbow Dragon once again.
The man, whose name Suguru still didn’t know, smiled.
“Gojo Satoru tried to stop me, so I had to kill him,” He declared, his pride at his accomplishment evident.
Before Suguru could make his rage known, the assassin vanished from in front of him.
A split second later, an explosion of dust and sound burst forth.
The elevator was now wrecked, and in its wreckage stood Yuji and the assasin, who was wide eyed and he strained against the fist of the mysterious new student with the flat of his blade.
It had happened too fast for Suguru.
“Where the fuck did a brat like you come from!?” Toji complained as he finally succeeded in pushing Yuji back, the boy landing right in front of Suguru, blocking his view of the assasin.
“Hell, Zen’in Toji. You’ll be familiar with the place pretty soon,” Yuji retorted, rolling his shoulders.
Without turning, he addressed Suguru. “Protect those two, I’ll handle him.”
Suguru almost forgot to respond, but when he did, his voice was filled with anger.
“That bastard killed Satoru, you’ll need my help!” He shouted, cursing the man’s arrogance.
Before Yuji could respond however, Zenin Toji was already upon him.
Swinging his sword with the force of a train, the man aimed to split Yuji down the middle.
He failed.
Yuji caught the blade in his left hand, but Suguru noticed that he wasn’t actually touching it. It seemed to be kept at bay by something, multiple sparks flying from the area close to Yuji’s palm. Yuji then attempted to deliver an attack of his own, directing a punch at Toji’s torso, but the man evaded the blow, jumping far above their heads to land behind them, blocking the path that led deeper into the tombs.
“Odd technique you’ve got there, brat,” He remarked, feeding his sword to the curse wrapped around his neck and drawing a different one out of it.
Yuji placed a hand on Suguru’s shoulder, giving him a small smile. He then finally replied to his last statement.
“Trust me, I won’t. Though, if you do see an opening, feel free to act on it.”
Then he walked forward, cracking his neck.
Suguru commanded the Rainbow Dragon to wrap protectively around Riko and Kuroi, deciding to trust this stranger.
‘Satoru…’ He thought, as the battle finally began in earnest.
…….
…….
Yuji walked towards Zen’in Toji, his mind dwelling on his conversation with Tengen before joining the Culling Games back in his timeline. This man was the force that caused the first domino to fall, his assasination of the Star Plasma Vessel had triggered many things.
Yuji admitted that he had miscalculated. The blood stains he had seen that day must’ve belonged to either of the three standing behind him, it wasn’t where the battle had begun.
He cursed himself for his oversight, but still held hope that Gojo was fine. He had survived without any interference the first time, Yuji told himself.
He decided to take his mind off of that, and focused on the sneering Toji in front of him.
‘That Cursed Tool..’ He thought, staring at the oddly shaped dagger Toji now carried. It was the Inverted Spear of Heaven, which Gojo was said to have destroyed or sealed. It forced the release of any technique, Yuji had to be cautious of it.
He stopped just a short distance from Toji, staring him in the eye.
“You’re a freak, you know that, kid? To match me in strength, even with reinforcement, isn’t normal,” He observed.
“I’ve been told that a lot,” Yuji returned.
Toji laughed. “Is that so? But it doesn’t matter. Unlike the Gojo brat, you’ll be more simple to fight. Prepare to die.” He said, casually, spinning the spear into a backhand grip.
Yuji did not respond to Toji’s words directly, uttering four words only, wiping the smile from Toji’s face.
“Flowing Red Scale: Stack.”
Yuji’s blood accelerated within his body, raising his physical stats to an even higher level.
Toji now looked wary, eyes narrowed.
They said no more, both springing into action at the same time.
Aiming low, Toji attempted to slash at Yuji’s abdomen, but was met with an iron grip on his arm. Yuji then attempted to flip Toji over his back, but in a feat of immense agility, the Zen’in used Yuji as a platform to turn the attempted flip into a vault, escaping the hold.
This time, Yuji attacked first. Moving forth at lightning speed, he aimed a punch directly at Toji’s face, the man dodged with a grunt, the air pressure lifting his hair. He attempted to stab at the outstrretched arm, but stopped just in time as he realized Yuji had no intention of attempting to evade the attack, the man already preparing another punch with his left hand.
‘He must have Reversed Cursed Technique to be so careless with a limb, and with Blood Manipulation…terrifying.’ Toji observed, choosing to evade the attack backwards, he then stepped back in immediately from a different angle, extending his legs to trip Yuji.
Yuji reacted in time, flipping over Toji’s attempt, and just for a moment, as Yuji was upside down midair, he was eye level with the almost crouched Toji.
He looked completely calm.
Toji swore as he attempted to headbutt Yuji while he was still in that position, but he missed, as the student had moved his head out of the way.
Now with both feet on the ground once again, Yuji rushed to attack Toji, the assasin once again standing at full height.
Yuji channeled Cursed Energy towards his fist, as he struck at Toji, who raised his left forearm to block, but quickly placed the Inverted Spear in the way as space distorted and a flash of black sparks came into being.
“Black Flash,” Yuji intoned.
The force of the blow sent Toji flying deeper down the corridor, bouncing twice before stopping his momentum by planting his feet deep into the ground.
“What the fuck even are you? Damn Jujutsu Sorcerer’s,” Toji cursed, as he inspected the Spear, which was fortunately still intact.
For the first time since had taken the mission, Toji began to wonder if it was worth it. The brat in front of him didn’t seem to be trying particularly hard. He had neglected using any external Blood Manipulation and that second technique of his.
Toji felt like he really could die here.
‘Fuck that, like hell I’m running away.’ As those thoughts appeared, so did a memory. A boy, no older than four, looking sullen.
Toji pushed the memories aside, calling for his inventory spirit to produce his other sword.
“No, this is fine,” He murmured, eyes fixed on the teenager who had been slowly but steadily coming closer.
“You just faltered, didn’t you, Zen’in?” The kid asked.
“Don’t act like you know me, brat.”
“I’m not acting.”
Yuji vanished from Toji’s eyes, appearing right in front of him with immense speed. Toji felt that sensation again, that sense of danger that prompted him to take the earlier hit with the Spear instead of his arm.
He crossed his blades in front of the rapidly approaching fist, the katana in front of the Spear, placing all his focus into standing firm.
“Black Flash,” The boy said again, as the sparks flew. The steel of the katana groaned, a complaint about the punishment it hard to endure.
Toji grunted, using it to guide Yuji’s fist to his left, then leaned in to charge him with his body.
The teen took the hit and only slid a few steps away, before rushing back in to attack.
Toji swung the Spear and the katana downwards with all his might, but the kid dodged to Toji’s right, pivoting on his heel to deliver a chop to Toji’s shoulder. Toji evaded the blow, attempting to strike at the boy with his katana while he was still off balance.
The sword struck true, taking the boy’s hand off at the wrist.
Toji then jumped away, fixing Yuji with a glare.
His decision had turned out to be right as the blood that spewed from the wound had hardened into sharp chain that would’ve snared his left harm had he stayed close.
Yuji looked at his hand, shrugging. Then, before Toji’s eyes, it regrew.
“You still intend to keep on going, Zen’in?” He asked.
“Don’t patronize me, brat. Either I kill you here, or I die. I’m still interested in living,” Toji snarled.
“Are you? Alright then, I vow to spare your life if you lay down your weapons now,” The teen stated, shocking Toji.
‘That was a pact!’ Toji studied the brat, who seemed far crazier than his calm demeanor suggested.
Toji considered it at that moment, surrender. But really, was his life that valuable? In opposition to the foolish search for self validation that now permeated his whole being, was his being that important?
Toji almost answered to himself, “yes.” but ugly memories surged forth. Nights spent in a dark room with nothing but Curses for company, looks of disdain from those who were supposed to be his family.
‘All of you are wrong, I’ll prove it. Here, and now!’
Toji wore his smile again. “Don’t underestimate me brat, you think you’ve won?” Toji raised his weapons. “Come at me, I’ll show you what power is.”
The boy looked disappointed…resigned, even. Toji cursed the boy for looking at him like that.
‘Who the hell do you think you are?’
“That’s your answer..? Fine then.”
Yuji raised a hand, fingers making a sign, pointed at Toji.
Toji burst forth, his grin wide and his mind focused. He had fully committed his being to killing the brat —- no, the Jujutsu Sorcerer—- before him.
Everything else shrank into non-existence around him. The bounty, the vessel, none of that mattered at that point. He simply had to kill. Right here, right now.
But even that resolve was not enough.
“Dismantle.”
The last thing Toji saw was spiralling brown eyes looking down on him with pity.
…….
…….
It was over, Yuji thought, gazing down at the figure of Zen’in Toji, whose limbs had all been taken off.
Yuji had really wanted it to be different this time, but the man would never change. He was too far gone.
Yuji took a heavy breath, turning away from the quickly dying man.
He walked the distance back to the trio, who now looked at him with a mix of apprehension and awe.
Yuji forced a smile. “Mission complete,” He said.
Geto looked at him like he had grown a second head, while Riko’s eyes were fixed on the gory sight he left behind him.
Yuji felt awkward in that atmosphere, then thought of something to break the tension.
“We should probably go check on Gojo,” He suggested, snapping them back to reality.
Geto summouned a stingray-like curse, letting Kuroi and Riko get on before sending it up the shaft of the ruinied elevator.
When the thing had dropped them off, it came back and Geto climbed on to it. He gave Yuji a questioning look, the teen taking the hint and following suit.
After leaving the tombs, they made their way to the school’s entrance, meeting an image of destruction. A huge crater had appeared in the space, with only a small part at the center looking untouched.
Suguru gasped and ran towards it, leaping over the rubble. Yuji followed, arriving just at the same time Geto raised the body of the white haired teenager that was covered in blood.
Yuji looked at the person, Gojo Satoru. Aside from the blood and grime, he looked completely different to the Gojo Yuji knew. He almost broke down at the spot, grateful to see his teacher, even if he wouldn’t know him.
But the only thing he did was speak. “What a relief,” He sighed.
Geto’s head snapped in his direction, his expression positively murderous.
“A relief?"
“Calm down, Geto, watch,” Yuji nodded at Gojo, who was beginning to stir.
Riko had arrived beside them, alongside Kuroi, who looked both annoyed and relieved at the same time. Yuji vaguely remembered the older woman chastising her charge for attempting to traverse the potentially dangerous field of rubble.
The girl shed a few tears as she saw Gojo finally open his eyes.
Suguru had set him back down at that point, looking just as relieved. Gojo’s eyes moved from Suguru on his right, over Yuji, who stood opposite him, to Riko and Kuroi on his left.
“Suguru, that bastard?” He croaked.
“Take it easy, Satoru. He’s not a problem, anymore,” Suguru said, trying to stop his friend from straining himself.
“Well, Suguru, you look awfully put together for someone who just fought to the death,” Gojo, who his audience were quickly realizing was a bit delirious, quipped.
Geto laughed, a pure clear thing, finally unburderend.
“And you look like shit, Satoru,” He retorted, his voice heavy with barely held back tears.