Chapter Text
In Shinjuku, Yuji and Choso were running along the empty, dilapidated streets. Both were looking for any curses unfortunate enough to cross their path to exorcise.
After Yuji consumed his remaining brothers–and eugh, he never wanted to do that again–he was trying to get the use of blood manipulation down. That's where Choso came in, helping Yuji control his technique. Although if he had to admit, Choso was not the best teacher. When Yuji tried asking about how to perform Piercing Blood, Choso just made some weird hand gestures. Trying to make a wave-like motion, but the movement just looked weird on the older man.
Yuji really, really tried not to look confused at Choso’s explanation, but from this point on, Yuji was going to leave the actual teaching to Noritoshi, and the physical combat to Choso. He didn't have the heart to tell Choso that, frankly, he sucked at teaching. Not that he thought Choso would care all that much anyway; he was too excited to help his brother.
It was so hard to focus just on training, though. Hell, he could barely go a day or night without thinking of all the people he’s lost.
Gojo being unsealed by Angel was perhaps the only light in the darkness that was the past month or so. So many people were injured…Hikari-senpai, Panda-senpai, Maki-senpai…and even Fushiguro… The moment Sukuna took over Megumi's body as his new vessel, Yuji hated himself for being so foolishly naive to think that Sukuna would ever make a binding vow without having all of his cards lined up. But for now, having the Strongest among them was enough, he supposed.
At moments like these, Yuji was grateful for his older brother. Choso was clear about trying everything he knew to make whatever Yuji was going to face easier. Always being a watching figure when he needed it, or a shoulder to cry on wherever things became too difficult.
Choso slowing down ahead of him shook Yuji out of his thoughts. He snapped to attention, watching carefully at Choso’s next moves. He wasn't really sure why his brother had slowed down, but he trusted that there must be a good reason to. Although in this situation, it’s probably because Choso felt a cursed spirit somewhere around. The older man waved his hand behind his back, signaling to Yuji that he has infact felt the presence of a curse. Yuji, despite being a monstrous prodigy who got pretty much everything down about Jujutsu the moment he was taught, sensing curses were still on his learning target list.
Yuji nodded, even though Choso technically couldn't see him as he was in front of the younger boy. Slowly, he and Choso made a right at the upcoming intersection. Taking the time to avoid stepping on fallen debris and making unnecessary noise that could draw attention. The closer the two walked towards what he could read as Tsustuji-dori St. on a fallen-down sign, the more he could feel the undeniable presence that his brother had indicated to him about. The street he was on now was clearly once a shopping area, with multiple stores having signs and flags posted on walls. Each advertisement depicted limited edition manga, figures, and other collectables an anime watcher or manga reader would want.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Yuji’s life had essentially gone to shit, he was sure he would've enjoyed hanging out with Fushiguro and Kugisaki here, spending as much as they could in an attempt to reach the limit on Gojo-sensei's card. That was neither here nor there, though.
He looked around the street for the curse that he felt. It had to be here somewhere…Ah! There, in a small alley, he could spot the curse huddled in the far corner. Its shape and features were hard to distinguish with the way shadows covered its body, but he could tell it was somewhat large, perhaps the size of a sedan.
To get a better look, Yuji rounded the corner of the alley, peeking his head in. His eyes locked onto a curse with masks covering its entire body. Each mask looked like some weird anime faces, a mix of different art styles and colors. Some of the masks looked like if Dragon Ball Z had suddenly become a horror anime, each face giving major uncanny valley vibes with their distorted eyes and mouths. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand, chills running through his previously very warmed and pumped-up body.
The eyes on each mask seemed to trail him no matter which way he moved. Even as he jumped onto a nearby balcony to gain altitude against the curse. Nevertheless, he was here to practice, and practice he shall do. It wasn't the time to be freaked out by weird curses. He’s seen creepier anyway.
Looking down at the curse, Yuji had enough distance to try out a move he hasn't really had the opportunity to use. He called out to his brother–ignoring that he just grabbed the attention of the curse he was originally trying to sneak up on–who was outside the alley, watching with rapt attention.
“Choso! You think I'm ready to try Piercing Blood now?”
Yuji was itching to use his new technique against the curse. Any attempts at using Piercing Blood near the other sourcers were banned after a stray may or may not have clipped Utahime-sensei. Yeah… she was pretty mad after the blood stained her new dress. He sweat-dropped at the memory.
Choso didn't reply immediately. Taking the time to look at the curse carefully, examining it as it lay motionless for the time being. It seemed like it hadn't reacted to Yuji speaking. Choso figured it shouldn't be stronger than a Grade 2; its cursed energy was rather weak, yet something felt... wrong about it. He couldn't put a name to it, but its energy felt like it was wrapping around something within its body. Which could be explained if it was holding onto a cursed object. Shouldn't be too much of a problem, though.
Despite his suspicions, he nodded towards Yuji. Choso was all too aware of how quickly Yuji gained expertise at forming and controlling blood with his cursed energy. Reminding him every chance he got of how he couldn't be more pleased at Yuji's progress.
Yuji took a deep breath, concentrating on forming his cursed energy in his clasped hands. Blood was tricky to form out of cursed energy, but imagining it like really thick water helped him with the concept- something something about having your cursed energy spread across your body, Choso and Noriotshi had once told him. Thinking of it like peeing your pants was the way Yuji thought about it, no matter how gross the other sorcers thought the analogy was–what could he say! If it works, it works! As he exhaled, he pointed straight at the curse, blood forming at the tips of his hands.
But before the blood could shoot out, the curse moved quicker than either brother could react. The sound of porcelain hitting against itself echoed through the alley. The masks on the curse's body clanged together as the curse extended a long tongue out of one of its many mouths towards Yuji. Choso reacted as quickly as he could, jumping up onto the same balcony and putting himself in front of Yuji. He got ready to use Blood Edge; the blood in his left hand forming to create a dagger. His right hand on Yuji's chest, attempting to push his younger brother out of the way. Yet in doing so, Choso took the brunt of the hit from the curse's whip-like tongue. A yelp was on the verge of escaping his mouth before what felt like a large current of electricity ran through his veins.
That was the last thing he felt before his entire body collapsed, and his vision went black.
—---------------------------------------------------------------
Choso POV
The smell of fresh air was the first thing to hit Choso’s nose as he became all too aware of his body lying on gravel. The second sense to kick in was his hearing, the sound of running water filling the previous static in his ears. The last two senses to come to fruition were his sense of movement and sight.
He quickly shot up from his position splayed out on the ground. His eyes opened to the sight of a grand forest ahead of him, encompassing all he could see. Beneath him, his legs and hands were met with the gritty and rough texture of barren dirt and rocks.
His mind immediately went to the shared connection between him and Yuji, trying to ensure that his brother was still alive and breathing. Which thankfully, he could still feel the connection alive and well. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. If Yuji had been dead or on the verge of it, the connection would have been either lost or dimmed.
Standing up, he looked behind himself to see his brother unconscious on the floor. The sight would have been rather peaceful if Choso at least knew where they were, as Yuji’s breathing was slow and calm, his normally furrowed brows as of late relaxed into a more natural position. It also reminded him of the last time he saw Yuji unconscious, due to his own hand…and the result was the total destruction of Shibuya. He shook his head to disrupt that line of thinking.
He gave a quick look over Yuji's body, checking for any external injuries. Thankfully, Yuji had none.
Choso then turned his attention to the area around him, trying to see if the curse was still present, yet to his surprise, he didn't feel nor see the cursed spirit– almost as if it had never existed. His mind was in turmoil at the sudden change of scenery.
‘Where are we…? This is no longer Shinjuku. Had the curse teleported us?’ Choso thought as he once again observed his surroundings.
With more clarity, Choso focused on the river next to them, seeing as it flowed towards a waterfall and two massive stone statues.
For his rather short time in the modern age, Choso was not aware of any place in Shinjuku with both a forest, a waterfall, and two impossibly large statues of men with hands positioned pointing up as if they were shushing themselves with two fingers instead of one. But most importantly, he could no longer feel any type of cursed energy besides that of Yuji.
Back in Shinujuku, there was always that nagging feeling in his body making him aware of the many curses located in the city. Even civilians could sometimes be felt by the amount of negative energy they discharged. Yet here, there was none.
‘The curse must have teleported us somewhere isolated then, but where?’
His train of thought was cut off as he heard the shuffling of Yuji waking up. He quickly returned to his brother's side, hoping that Yuji didn't suffer any additional side effects from the transportation.
Yuji's eyes slowly blinked open, eyes lazily looking around unfocused before making contact with Choso's own.
“Yuji! Are you okay? No injuries, yes?!”
Choso asked in a rapid-fire way as he reached out with both hands to hold onto Yuji's shoulders, grounding his younger brother to the floor. He didn't want his brother getting up too fast and losing his balance.
“Mah Choso…you worry too much, you know? If anything, you are going to give me an injury with how hard you’re gripping onto my shoulders. I'm perfectly fine!”
Yuji assured Choso with a grin. Choso grimaced at unintentionally hurting his brother, removing his hands swiftly. Once the pressure was off him, Yuji stood up, mirroring Choso’s earlier actions of looking around. Then promptly scratching his head at the unfamiliar scenery.
“Hey… where are we? Unless I’m going crazy, I'm pretty sure we were in the street before that weird curse attacked us.”
“I…..do not know. I am just as confused as you are. I can only assume the curse’s technique teleported us outside of Shinjuku.” Choso replied with a wince.
Choso watched as Yuji continued to take in the surrounding area. The younger's eyes sparkled at the beauty of the pristine water and forest that went as far as the eye could see— before his head stilled.
“Hey! I know those statues!”
Yuji's voice traveled far through the empty valley space. He all but ran towards the previously mentioned stone figures.
“They're from this manga I used to read called Naruto!”
As Yuji’s figure became smaller the closer he drew to the statues. Choso walked at a much slower pace behind him. That's when Yuji's speed slowed down tremendously, becoming more like a slow gait rather than a run.
“Wait a minute… there's no life-size recreation of them anywhere in Japan…”
Yuji clutched his head with both hands in a rather exaggerated motion, as if a horrible migraine had overcome him.
“That can’t be possible!! Am I dreaming!? Unless…”
Yuji pinched himself, and when that didn’t work to bring him out of the “dream” he was in, he slapped both hands to his face, which, guess what, didn't work either. He let out a gasp in shock.
“We were transported into the anime!? Cause if we did that would suck sooo bad you have no idea!!!”
“What do you mean, younger brother? Transported into an anime? What even is that…”
The last question was said much quieter. But even though his mind and thoughts were going a mile a minute–trying to also think of possibilities for where they could be–his voice and body language were much calmer compared to Yuji. Who instead looked like he was going through all the stages of grief at once.
Yuji turned to face his brother, face pouting like an adorable kitten.
“Yea! Like these statues only exist in a manga and anime series called Naruto! Like... you know…” His eyebrows furrowed, pausing midsentence to fully form his words properly, “Those drawings you must've seen all over Shibuya of fictional people! If we're actually in the anime, then right now we must be in the Valley of the End!” He groaned out.
Choso had no words, only being able to respond with a simple “I see…”.
That would be bad, he supposed; if they were in a different dimension that was apparently fictional–although their situation would prove otherwise–there was no guarantee they could return to their own. If the curse was what apparently transported them…
“I believe if the curse that brought us here were to release its technique, we should be able to return to our own dimension. However, you already seem to be familiar with this world, am I correct?”
Choso waited for the younger's nod before continuing.
“Then you know how the story goes, then. If we truly are in this fictional world like you suggest, I'm sure we'll have no problem moving around and lying low until one of the other sorcerers exorcises that dammend thing.”
He hoped that explanation would calm down his brother. Yuji–still in a pout–sighed, grumbling while scratching his head furiously in thought.
“Hrggghhh...I guess we should walk around to confirm if we are actually in the anime. The faster we get out of this forest and figure out the nearest food place, the better our chances are at going back to Shinjuku in time for the fight.”
‘The faster we can get back to saving Fushiguro’ remained unsaid in Yuji’s tone of voice, but Choso knew better. He was no stranger to Yuji’s attachment to his best friend. He also knew that Yuji beat himself up mentally whenever he thought about how he failed to maintain his status as Sukuna's vessel, and instead unintentionally gave that title to Fushiguro. His poor brother…Choso would need to keep a better eye on Yuji; he's not sure how much more the younger could handle.
On a rather somber note, the brothers began their trek following the river downstream. They used the statues as a jumping platform to reach the bottom of the cliff face. They were attempting to locate either a pathway or someone who could point them to the nearest settlement.
Choso was perfectly okay with camping out in the woods and avoiding people for as long as possible–there were very few people he tolerated, and the one he…loved…the most was gone at the hands of his wretched father. But, for his brother's sake, who still needed to eat and socialize like a regular human, as well as to live out the rest of his life as a human, he would do anything,
—-----------------------------
It didn't take long before they found a dirt road; its sight bringing a massive flood of relief towards Yuji. And by Choso’s standards, if his brother was relieved, he would be too. The change of scenery was also nice, as they previously had only seen water and massive trees wherever they walked. The endless nature gave both of them tunnel vision.
“Finally!! Signs of life!” Yuji exclaimed as he ran ahead to the road, practically skipping with excitement.
Choso felt the corners of his lips turn upwards; he could only smile fondly at the scene. It was rare for the two of them to just enjoy each other's company without the looming threat of a curse or curse user attack. Not to mention he could tell that the Shibuya incident still plagued his little brother's mind no matter how Yuji acted otherwise–it only happened a bit more than a month ago, after all.
After probably around thirty minutes of walking by Choso’s estimate–although Yuji light-heartedly complained about it feeling more like an hour– they came upon their first civilization. A tiny farming settlement, with small houses and huts, all with simple thatched roofs. Rice paddies took up the majority of the space.
The odd 40 or so villagers were hard at work, some in the paddies collecting rice grains, and others sorting and beating the grains gathered.
The brothers walked through the small village, gaining a few looks for their rather unusual appearance: a teen with bright pink hair and deep scars, and a man with gravity-defying buns, a facial tatto, and the attire of a purple-loving monk were certainly not a common sight in his opinion, not that he really cared, though. He didn't really mind what he wore as long as it was both comfortable and practical in battle, which his clothes were. So why bother changing something that's not broken?
It wasn’t until they came upon a small food vendor that they stopped their trek, the smell of freshly steamed rice filling the air. Yuji acted fast, speed-walking to go up to the stand, eager to see what foods they had available, apparently forgetting that they were here to ask for directions. Behind the stall, a young lady was reading a book; she looked rather young, perhaps only in her late teens.
However, as soon as Yuji approached her, she immediately froze–Something seemed to scare her into place–but it lasted only a brief moment, enough for Yuji not even to catch the reaction. Choso did, though. He noticed how quickly the lady then steeled herself, and when she looked up at the two individuals, her expression was that of boredom, and not of the fear she must've felt to garner such a reaction.
‘How odd…’ he thought.
“Um—excuse me!”
Yuji's boyish voice cracked as he hesitantly asked the lady.
“Do you know where we are? My brother and I are kind of lost hehehe….” Yuji laughed awkwardly.
The lady looked up, seemingly annoyed. “Seriously…What kind of shinobi don't know their own surroundings…” She mumbled under her breath before sighing and speaking up, “You're in Pumi Village in the ya know, Fire Country”
Yuji seemed to deflate for a moment at the confirmation that he is, in fact, in the fictional series. Choso looked intently at the woman.
‘Shinobi? Does this place really have ninja roaming around so commonly that that's what the women mistook them for?’
He would need to keep a better awareness of his surroundings; no matter what period, ninja lurking amok were no good. They were similar to sorcerers in that regard; sorcerers would never need to exist if curses didn't.
“Okay, thank you for your help.”
Yuji sighed, turning back towards his brother. Choso could tell that Yuji was really hoping the dimension-hopping scenario wasn't the case the two found themselves in, and instead they just got teleported to a hyper-realistic recreation that Yuji somehow didn't know about.
“It seems like you are right, little brother. We'll have to wait until the technique is released then.”
Choso voiced out, ready to comfort Yuji and think over new solutions. But before he could say any further, a loud growl emanated from Yuji’s stomach.
Yuji practically turned red at the sound of his body demanding food. After all, they had been on the streets since the morning, and it had been around an hour or so since Yuji had eaten a proper meal that didn't consist of nutritional bars and whatever else they could scrounge up in the desolate streets.
“I apologize, but we've been on the road for a while, and neither of us thought to carry any food or money with us. Perhaps we could exchange services for a meal? Both my brother and I are quite strong, and I'm sure there's something we could help you with.” Choso smoothly asked.
Attempting to prevent any further embarrassment from befalling Yuji. The lady looked up and down at the duo, eyes scanning their broad physique, before letting out another sigh and pointing towards a patch of land a few meters away covered with fallen trees.
“Well… we had already called over some shinobi from the Hidden Leaf to come clean up that debris, but quite frankly, I think they forgot about our request. They often forget about us in favor of taking up missions that give those greedy bastards more money. And even if they do… they send those incompetent genin that make the situation worse than it already is. SO, if you guys can clear up the mess, I'll give you guys some rice balls.”
Yuji either ignored her rant or frankly didn't care because food was involved, but he earnestly bowed his head in gratitude.
“Thank you so much! We'll get it cleared in no time!” He grinned.
—-------------
While both boys were working, they began to converse about the position they now find themselves in.
“Choso…how long before you think we can head home? Everyone must be crazy looking for us everywhere!”
Yuji said as he picked up a large log and threw it towards the rest of the piled-up logs and debris. The job was easier than they thought; Yuji's impossible strength made the entire job feel effortless. Choso wouldn't even need to lift a finger if he so wished. But that would be entirely unbecoming of an older brother.
“If it's any comfort to you, I'm sure Gojo-san is tracking us with his Six Eyes. We should have left some form of residuals. So, it shouldn't be long before he finds the curse and exercises it.” He replies.
“Yea…I guess you're right. I'm just worried that our disappearance is making everyone worry about us rather than focusing on killing Kenjaku and saving Fushiguro.”
Yuji answers with a distant look on his face.
The two of them stopped their conversation as they heard the steps of the vendor lady walking up to them. Her face was marked with an impressed look, eyebrows raised and mouth almost in a small smile.
“Wow…You guys got that done faster than I thought. Here, come back to my stall, and I'll give you guys the compensation.”
Yuji brightened at the idea of eating. He wiped off whatever leaves and dust clung to his shirt; together, they both went back to the stall.
—-------------------
Having finished their meal–well, Choso hadn't wanted to nor needed to eat, but at his brother's insistence, ate a salmon-filled rice ball. He had to admit it was quite good; it's been a while since he's eaten anything, after all; the last time was with Yuki in Tengen's barrier.
Having essentially cleared a pile of debris for “free” and quickly, word of their strength and assistance spread. Many other villagers came up to them to ask for their help in menial tasks befitting the two's strength. In fact, a line was practically forming out the stall as the villagers gathered together, ready to ask the two to either move heavy loads or clear woodland for expansion in agriculture. All in exchange for what little money, trinkets, or meals the people had.
Yuji, ever the bleeding-heart that he was, offered to do the work for free. The vendor lady practically had to threaten him with violence to actually take what the villagers were giving him. While Choso would have never even let the lady lay a hand on Yuji, he had to agree with her that if they were staying here for an undetermined amount of time, they would need all the supplies they could get. And well, there was a business opportunity forming right in front of them.
Besides that, what Choso found the most intriguing was that each villager, when approaching the brothers, always looked to be distraught by something for a split second. Before suddenly appearing to forget all about their previous discomfort, instead continuing to happily offer job opportunities. It had gotten to a point that even Yuji noticed it. But it's not like either could actually do much to investigate it at that point. They didn't feel like asking about it in case the villagers changed their mind about their hospitality.
—-------------------
It wasn't until nightfall that both brothers were offered beds to sleep in and access to warm water to bathe. Both were pretty filthy after working all day, and Yuji jumped at the opportunity to get cleaned and have a proper rest. The baths were certainly nice, and Choso could feel himself relaxing as he washed away all the dirt and grime caked up in his hair. He felt refreshed, and so did Yuji. All that was left now was to sleep the rest of the night away.
Choso, again, did not need to perform basic human necessities such as sleeping, so instead he watched over his brother's sleeping form as the younger shifted uncomfortably in the bed. Yuji's eyebrows furrowed, and his mouth formed a tight line even in deep slumber. Choso, unable to watch his brother squirm any longer, got up from his own bed and sat next to Yuji’s lying form. Softly rubbing circles into Yuji’s back in hopes of calming his little brother's thoughts.
He stopped his actions as he heard the commotion of a man being yelled at by a couple of women in the bar below them, his eyes quirking in irritation. If it wasn't the only place wanting to accommodate them, he surely would have chosen another place for his brother to rest. While he had enjoyed sharing a drink or two with Yuki and Tengen (the former only making the drinks and not consuming them), he was aware that others could become rowdy and unpleasant when having more than they could handle.
Not wanting the noise to disrupt his brother’s rest, he walked downstairs, ready to tell whoever was making such a racket to quiet down.
As soon as he hit the ground floor, his gaze fell upon an old white-haired man in a green kimono and red haori combo. Fishnet fabric covered his arms and legs, and he used said arms to try to grab one of the hostesses near him. Choso could smell the reeking scent of alcohol all over the man's body.
“Get away from me, you fucking perv!” The host unfortunate enough to be harassed by him cried out. Pushing him away
“Man…you wound me with your words! Can’t you see I’m all a woman could want? Tall, sexy, strong, rich, and an aspiring writer!” He drunkenly slurred his words.
The hostess noticed Choso first, her eyes locking onto him and pleading for him to get her away from the situation.
“Hey. Leave her alone. You're making too much noise. I'm trying to get some rest.”
The old sleezer turned his face towards Choso, and now he could see the other adornments framing the white-haired man's face. He had two red block tattoos going down from his eyes, and on the top of his head was a red headband with a metal piece attached. The kanji for oil was engraved into it.
“Oops! Sorry, little lady, didn’t know you were taken.” He nonchalantly backed off from the hostess.
“But who are you, if I may ask?” The man's voice didn't seem to be willing to take no for an answer.
“I am Choso…and that's all you need to know. Leave the establishment so I can go back upstairs.” Choso gritted out.
“Ohoho…! But dare, why would I do that when you intrigue me so! I've never seen a shinobi with such much intent to kill at a mere meeting with the Great Toad Sage!”
‘Killing intent, shinobi, Great Toad Sage? What is the guy talking about?’ Choso couldn't help but let his confused expression show on his face.
“I’m sorry? I am no shinobi, and to be quite frank, I have no idea who you are, and definitely had no intentions to kill you. Make you shut up and leave–yes–kill you and make a further racket–no.” He responded.
The proclaimed Toad Sage paused his words, eyes narrowing once more on Choso. The gaze felt like it was penetrating through Choso’s very soul, trying to glean any information it could get from him.
“I see. Why don't we take this outside?”
Choso felt a surge of irritation through his body at the off-hand remark about his brother. But he wasn't trying to start a commotion now. Besides, even though he could tell the man standing before him was powerful, Choso’s own abilities weren't anything to scoff at either; he deemed no risk from going outside the bar with the Sage.
The Sage turned on his sandaled heel, walking out of the bar with Choso falling into step behind him until they were met with the frigid air of the outside.
“Don’t lie to me now; I can’t sense any Chakra from you, which, if you didn't know, should be impossible. So, who are you–or rather, what are you? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't think of you as a threat?” The Sage's deep voice commanded.
“I am human, and I can assure you on my life that I do not intend to harm anyone. I’m simply a foreigner who's trying to stay out of trouble until I find a way back home.” Choso shot back. He hated that the man in front of him could apparently sense his half-curse nature; he let that side of him die the day Yuki died. He could feel his facial markings elongate as blood gathered, ready to be used.
“As for this Chakra you speak of, I've never heard of it.”
That seemed to get a reaction out of the man, even if it was just from the almost unnoticeable rise in his eyebrow.
“Well, if you aren't intentionally concealing your Chakra, mind explaining to me how you're currently dripping and controlling the blood on your face? I've never seen a blood manipulation Kekkai Genkai before.”
‘Are Kekkai Genkai their version of cursed techniques?’ Choso thought before taking a deep breath.
“Look, I truly, truly do not mean any harm to the people of this land, so I ask you once more that you please take your leave before I make you.”
“Oh? Make me, you say? What makes you think I'm so easy to defeat?”
Choso was really starting to get irritated at the back-and-forth nature of the conversation. He formed a few blood balls around the man, getting ready to use Supernova when the time called, but just like how he ended up in this world in the first place, he felt a punch to the back of his neck and was promptly knocked out.