Chapter Text
Everything happened so fast. The last thing he remembered was failing to block Sukuna’s final gamble.
Whether it was a wandering soul phenomenon or something else entirely, Gojo’s spirit simply continued to drift, denied the chance to reincarnate. Perhaps it was because of the deep-seated regret he held for his students.
He had abandoned them at the worst possible moment. They were forced to face the King of Curses alone, without his protection.
Even if Gojo Satoru wanted someone to take over his role, or at least become as strong as him, it didn't mean he wanted his students to suffer excruciatingly in the process. He watched, staring blankly at his own corpse, bisected by Sukuna.
He saw the sheer agony in Yuji’s eyes and the disbelief of his other students, who couldn't fathom that Gojo Satoru would lose and die so miserably.
Gojo had initially thought his death was heroic enough; he believed he had wounded Sukuna severely enough for his students to finish the job. He was dead wrong.
Sukuna was called the King of Curses for a reason, and it seemed Gojo had underestimated that title. Even without his original form, Sukuna had killed him using Megumi’s body. If he were to ever regain his true form, the Jujutsu world would surely face the apocalypse.
Gojo didn't know why he was forced to witness everything after his death. Perhaps it was punishment for his arrogance, for underestimating Sukuna and leaving those precious to him to bear the burden.
He couldn't save everyone; he knew that well. But Gojo Satoru was the strongest. That was what his precious students believed.
And so, he watched the aftermath of his death with terror. He saw a Yuji filled with profound grief and rage toward Sukuna, and his other students bracing themselves for the worst war in Jujutsu history: the battle against Ryomen Sukuna.
Gojo couldn't interact with anyone. He was nothing but a lingering ghost, watching his students die and suffer horrific injuries one by one.
Eventually, he saw the only one left standing against Sukuna: Itadori Yuji. His best and favorite student.
Gojo loved him because Yuji never looked at him as a tool or someone to be feared and avoided. Yuji was always by his side to comfort him, sharing the same wavelength of silliness that none of his other students could match.
Gojo loved Megumi like a son, but loving an adopted child and loving someone who truly understands your soul are two different things.
That was why, as he witnessed the final battle between Yuji and Sukuna, Gojo felt a paralyzing fear.
He was terrified of seeing Yuji die again, and this time, it might be permanent. He didn't know if he would even meet Yuji’s soul in the afterlife, as Gojo’s current state was a limbo between life and death, his spirit tethered to the world.
"Yuji." Gojo tried to reach for him, wanting to drag him away. Don’t fight Sukuna now, gather your strength first.
But that was a thought born of overprotectiveness. Even though Gojo was proud that his student had grown stronger, perhaps even stronger than himself, he couldn't bear to see him die.
"Yuji, don't die." It was the same plea he had made before the Shibuya Incident. He said it again now, though Yuji couldn't possibly hear him.
The battle was fierce, and Gojo watched as Yuji manifested a Domain Expansion.
!?
Gojo was stunned. He was certain Yuji hadn't yet mastered the formation of a Domain. Had he missed something? Perhaps he was only shown key moments of the future after his death.
As he watched Yuji’s Domain, watching how Yuji took Sukuna for a "stroll", Gojo sensed something strange, something that didn't quite feel like his student.
By the time Sukuna defied Yuji at the end, Gojo finally understood the purpose of Yuji’s unique Domain: Dismantle Soul.
Yuji had actually given Sukuna a chance to make a pact so he wouldn't have to use it, but Sukuna refused. The technique etched into Yuji’s body had somehow evolved to be far more powerful than the original owner's.
Everything changed after that. Yuji managed to separate Sukuna from Megumi’s body, and the two immediately planned to end Sukuna once and for all. But through it all, Gojo noticed that Yuji never smiled again.
How long had this been going on?
Gojo’s soul remained by Yuji’s side long after the battle ended. He wondered how long his spirit could endure, continuing to accompany Yuji even though the boy would never notice.
He followed him through the years, experiencing the loss of the other students as time passed.
Yuji eventually stopped aging at a certain point, which only heightened Gojo’s fear. As he had suspected, Yuji was left behind by all his friends. He was finally alone.
If only I could talk to him... Gojo wished Yuji could see him so they could keep each other company in this eternity.
Gojo didn't realize that his feelings for Yuji were becoming obsessive.
He thought he was just watching over his most precious student. But eventually, he found himself desperate for a physical form just to hold him.
He was always there, when Yuji slept, when he ate, wherever he went. He never left his side for a second, a ghost haunting the one he loved.
He saw Yuji still keeping photo albums of himself and friends like Nobara and Megumi. It was clear that Yuji missed those who had left him alone.
Yuji, I’m here with you!
Gojo tried to hug him from behind, but his soul couldn't touch Yuji’s body. He passed through him like a screen of light. Gojo smiled bitterly. Yuji would never see him and would continue to suffer alone.
Frustration began to set in, but Gojo vented it by constantly commenting on everything "his" Yuji did, even if he wasn't heard.
You need to eat more, Yuji! Does it taste bad?
Yuji wouldn't finish his meals, only taking a few bites before leaving again. He never stayed in one place for long, always moving. He became a curse-hunting machine, doing it relentlessly everywhere he went.
Gojo’s heart ached seeing his Yuji like that. If he were still alive, he would never let Yuji become a machine.
It felt like a great sin that he had lost to Sukuna, forcing his Yuji to go through all of this. He had robbed his Yuji of his bright youth and his freedom, cursing him to take his place as the strongest.
This isn't what I wanted, Yuji...
He thought that by raising his students to be as strong as him, they would share the burden and the future would be better. But in the end, Yuji bore it all alone.
Immortality. Loneliness. The curse of being the strongest, responsible for the safety of humanity. Why did his Yuji have to do that?
Then, his Yuji became involved in a strange conflict with Yuta’s descendants, forcing him to go into hiding and disguise his appearance.
Gojo watched the "stalker" who kept trying to follow Yuji and felt an overwhelming jealousy. That stalker at least had a form and could touch his Yuji; he couldn't stand the sight of it.
Yuji, stay away from that creep!
Yuji suddenly rubbed the back of his head, tilted his head, and said flatly, "Is there a ghost following me? I keep feeling a chill."
!?
Gojo froze, and a second later, he was ecstatic.
Yuji! You can feel me?! I’m here! Look at me! Your sensei is always by your side!
"Well, if there is a ghost, I hope it’s Gojo-sensei, heh," Yuji muttered with a sigh before continuing his journey.
Yuji wants me too...
Behind him, the floating ghost with white hair and blue eyes maintained a hugging pose, his attachment growing stronger by the day.
How many years had passed?
In short, Gojo had seen everything Yuji did to realize his vision of preventing the emergence of Cursed Spirits.
It was a vision far better than Geto’s massacre, but also a heavy one, as it didn't guarantee a world entirely free of curses.
Gojo also learned the origin of Cursed Spirits and overheard Yuji’s conversation with an alien race.
The world was getting weirder, but it was interesting because Yuji was finally realizing his vision. He would no longer have to be a hunter; he could finally rest...
That was what Gojo hoped for when he saw Yuji’s plan succeeding. Unfortunately, Gojo didn't anticipate Yuji’s decision to sacrifice himself at the very end.
When Yuji met Nobara and discussed turning himself into a Cursed Object, Gojo felt his world shatter. Despair filled his heart.
No, Yuji!
No matter how hard Gojo screamed, he was about to lose the only person he had cared about for so long.
He had followed him for years, understood him, and become tethered to him. His heart broke at the decision. Gojo couldn't accept it!
Perhaps that extreme rage and despair formed a certain power within the remnants of Gojo Satoru’s soul. At that point, a miracle happened.
*~*
"Uwahh, Gojo-sensei!"
"Shut up, you're bothering his rest, idiot!"
"Why is he sleeping here?"
Three familiar voices rang out, especially the cheerful voice of his Yuji that he missed so dearly.
Is this a flash before I cross the bridge of reincarnation? What about Yuji?
Gojo opened his eyes and felt the familiar blindfold he always wore as a teacher. Everything felt real, he could even touch the blindfold. This wasn't a spirit form.
"Sensei, you're awake!"
That cheerful voice again. Gojo’s heart leaped as he finally looked at his Yuji, young, bright, and full of life.
"Yuji," he called out, his voice trembling. He was terrified this was just a dream, a hollow illusion of his deepest desire.
It turned out, it wasn't a dream.
"Yes, Sensei!" Yuji replied enthusiastically, approaching him.
Yuji answered me... We can interact!
The realization spurred Gojo into action. He moved fast, suddenly pulling the boy he missed so much into a tight embrace. "Yuji, I missed you so much!"
"S-sensei?!" Yuji tensed in his arms.
"What are you doing?!" Megumi’s angry voice barked behind him.
"Hiii, what is this? What kind of weird scene am I looking at?" Nobara commented dramatically.
I can hold him. He’s mine!
Gojo grinned happily, a look that was quite creepy to his other two students, while a confused Yuji still had no idea what was happening.
He ignored the reactions of his disrespectful students and continued to hold his Yuji tightly.
"Sensei!" His Yuji struggled slightly. That was fine; Gojo would teach him later.
Gojo wasn't satisfied with just a hug, but he could restrain himself for now. More importantly, he needed to know what time it was. All his students looked healthy,it was clearly before the Shibuya Incident.
As he suspected, Megumi confirmed the date: one week before Halloween.
Exactly one week before the Shibuya Incident, where Gojo Satoru was sealed in the Prison Realm. It was the event Gojo regretted most in his entire life.
Because he was sealed, his students suffered and died one by one, and his Yuji had to endure unspeakable pain. Nanami’s death also lingered in his mind.
So, the first thing Gojo needed to do was handle the Shibuya Incident and ensure he was never sealed.
"Yuji, come with me!"
"Eh?"
Gojo couldn't be away from his Yuji now; it made him panic. He would just take him everywhere. Besides, he knew everything about his Yuji after following him as a ghost for all those years.
Once he cleared all the problems that caused his Yuji’s suffering, he could finally have him all to himself and spoil him for the rest of his life. That was Gojo Satoru’s goal.
***