Chapter Text
Satoru Gojo was the strongest sorcerer. It wasn’t just bragging, nor was it mere talk. It was a fact. You could ask any other sorcerer, and—whether they liked it or not—they would admit it was true.
The very balance of the world had been disrupted by his birth.
With all that in mind, it was obvious that he would be the first line of defense against the King of Curses. And people waited and prayed for his victory. They needed him to win.
However, there was one crucial problem: Sukuna was inside the body of his student, that boy he had taken in so many years ago—his son, Megumi. Satoru might have a better chance of victory if the boy’s life weren’t also on the line.
The truth is, Gojo doesn’t know how all this came to pass, nor how they managed to take Fushiguro away. Since the Shibuya incident, he’s been quite out of the loop. Apparently, his confinement in that gloomy, solitary box had deprived him of many things. Ironically, he considers that the lack of access to information was the worst of it all. Of course, his students tried to update him and make him catch up, but time was limited and they had priorities, so the small details were skipped over.
In any case, this brought him back to the present, face to face with Sukuna.
The battle of Domains had been intense and hard-fought, with Gojo quickly adapting to the curse’s tactics in an attempt to outmaneuver it, even if only by milliseconds. The moment his dominion triumphed over Sukuna’s he would have a chance to strike him. If he managed such a feat, victory could be his. With some luck, he’d avoid having to fight Mahoraga—
Ah.
He spoke too soon.
As soon as he lunged at Sukuna, fully intending to land several fatal blows, that damned shikigami got in the way. And, somehow, it had already adapted to his Domain. Of course, Gojo already has a theory about how, but that’s irrelevant right now. He has to focus.
He positions his hand, ready to extend his Domain once more, but something distracts him. His Six Eyes warn him. Judging by the way Sukuna stiffens, he senses it too.
Mahoraga is the one who notices it most, of course, as he receives a surprise attack. A series of rapid slashes leave him temporarily weakened. Or, at least, weak enough for the mysterious presence to finish him off—a hand touching the shikigami, causing it to explode into sakura petals, the battlefield floor filling with flowers.
Gojo wasn’t able to see it clearly, since Sukuna had turned to face the newcomer, but if his eyes didn’t deceive him, there was surprise etched on his face when he spined.
“Sukuna,” calls a soft voice. Satoru can’t resist the temptation, so he peeks over the enemy’s shoulder to observe the newcomer.
He is a young man with pinkish hair and amber eyes, wearing a simple black kimono, the reddish details adorning it, and the fold of the nagajuban could be seen beneath. But what stood out the most was the fact that he was not human. His Six Eyes had already alerted him to it before he actually saw it.
“Yuuji?” There seemed to be genuine dismay in Sukuna’s voice, and Gojo found himself surprised by that detail. In any case, he thinks this is a good moment; with Sukuna distracted, he’ll be able to—
His arm falls to the ground the moment he raises it.
“Stay still, sorcerer.” The newcomer, ‘Yuuji,’ says, shooting him a look. Despite the warmth he was able to see moments before, the eyes watching him now lack of it. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
“Kenjaku said you weren’t in this era.”
“Kenjaku’s quite the liar and a disgusting, don’t you think?” Yuuji tilts his head, smiling at Sukuna. “Though he wasn’t entirely wrong. I’ve been pretty inactive; it’s only natural he wouldn’t know. I heard he’d been looking for me.”
The curse clicks his tongue, crossing his arms. “Whatever. It’s irrelevant now. Brat, get out of the way and let me fight in peace.” Despite the demand, the other curse ignores him, advancing toward Sukuna.
“I’ve been waiting a thousand years to speak with you—won’t you grant me a few minutes of your time?” Yuuji laughs, his clasped hands hidden in the sleeves of his kimono.
Gojo, on the other hand, has managed to regenerate his arm, yet he doesn’t dare to try attacking again. While the curse has destroyed Mahogara, it has also proven not to be on the side of humans, as expected. He doubts it will grant him any more chances, and being relatively weak as he is now, it’s a good chance to catch a breath. Unfortunately, this respite also benefits Sukuna. Whatever, he’d take any chance he could.
“What happened after I died, Sukuna? I thought you said we’d be together forever. And yet, as soon as I was reincarnated, it turns out you’ve been sealed away for three hundred years…” Yuuji sighs, shaking his head.
“Kenjaku was supposed to be the one to find a suitable vessel. If that man didn’t manage to accomplish it in time, it’s not my problem.” The curse snorts, almost as if he were a child being scolded. The pink-haired boy doesn’t seem impressed. “Whatever. It makes sense that he wasn’t able to find your reincarnation. You turned into vengeful spirit, hmm? Who cursed you?” Despite the light tone, there was a certain anger in the last question. Gojo could see Sukuna clench his hand on his arm. Was the thought of someone cursing this boy what angered him?
“Myself.” Yuuji shrugged, downplaying it. “But that’s just how it is. Now, Sukuna, come back to me.”
There was no movement from any of the three.
Yuuji was the first to react, sighing.
“Domain Expansion: Linked Souls.” Gojo tries to step back before the barriers close, but he’s too slow and ends up trapped along with the other two curses.
The scene before him shifts; a landscape of cherry blossoms envelops them, placing Sukuna and Yuuji on a small bridge over the pond. On the other hand, Satoru appears right in the water, his pants getting soaked. He grimaces. How kind of the curse to drop him on the most comfortable side of the Domain.
The King of Curses remains unresponsive, stubborn and reluctant to obey. Yuuji raises his hand, and a cluster of flowers appears before them, bursting open, the fall of petals creating a beautiful 'welcome to spring' sight. What is revealed to be inside of the cluster, however, is not that beautiful; the body of a young man, with hair resembling that of the mysterious curse.
“Use this vessel. It may not have a technique like that young man you’re currently using, but it’s a gift.” That last word seems to have the desired effect, as Sukuna clicks his tongue and, sure enough, moves away from Megumi, a grotesque mass of flesh escaping and unwrapping itself from the boy to shift into the offered body. It doesn’t take long for him to open his eyes, rising from his prone position only to suddenly take his final form, his height evident as he stands before Yuuji.
“Happy?” Sukuna asks with distaste. The other curse, in response, approaches, hanging onto the most accessible arm he finds with an innocent smile.
“Yes.” He hums, resting his head on the appendage. “The truth is, I planned to split both of your souls by force if necessary. I’m glad you’re still unable to refuse my gifts.”
Sukuna clicks his tongue once again, rolling three of his four eyes, the last one still fixed on Yuuji. The Domain breaks moments later, freeing the three of them unscratched.
Gojo feels he can breathe easily again, even though he hadn’t noticed when he’d stopped doing so in the first place.
“Six Eyes?” Satoru replies by looking up to see Yuuji, who is standing before him. “Even though I’m a curse, I used to be human. I don’t feel the same range of emotions as I did before, but I know that my mortal self wouldn’t let Sukuna run free. I promise to stop his violence, and in return, the sorcerers will leave us alone, hm?”
It’s disconcerting, to a certain extent, how human he looks. He has no extra limbs, like Sukuna himself, nor visible stitches, like Mahito. His smile is kind and warm, perfectly mimicking the emotions that, according to him, he no longer seems to feel in the same way.
Gojo feels lost. From fighting for his life, for the very fate of this world, to this… How did they end up like this? How does he manage to control Sukuna like that? How has such a powerful curse—almost, or even on par with the Curse King himself—been overlooked?
Despite all his questions forming on his head, he can only manage to ask one. “Who are you?”
“Oh.” Yuuji blinks, surprised, and then smiles shyly, scratching his cheek. “Sukuna’s husband?” Is all he answers, returning to the curse’s side.
Despite the lack of acceptance from Satoru's side of his previous proposition, the pink-haired curse doesn’t seem too worried as he leaves, dragging Sukuna with him. Not like the King of Curses is offering much resistance.
All Gojo can think of, as he watches both curses leave, is; What the fuck did just happen?
Regenerating his brain over and over might not have been his brightest idea.