Shin sat bored in one of the Jujutsu headquarters conference rooms and honestly, he was annoyed. He had been sitting in this damn room ever since he got his new assignment, which had to be at 3 hours by now. The assignment ended up being, true to Satorus words, the extermination of Geto Suguru, but this didn't lessen his distaste towards the task nor its circumstances. But apparently that wasn't the full scope of the mission, which was why he was in this room to begin with.
He leaned back in his chair and groaned. This whole mission was gonna be a total clusterfuck. Sure, he loved a good fight, but he wasn't arrogant enough to believe he could walk away unscathed from a fight with Geto. Especially not when he had to hold back, because he wasn't allowed to kill him. Well, he could try, but the consequences would be dire and do more harm than good in the end. Plus, he doubted he could kill him anyway.
"Damn you Satoru..." He muttered to himself as he continued thinking about it.
But before he could continue to ponder on his new Assignment and the corresponding troubles any longer, Hamako opened the door with two cups of coffee in her hands and an obviously annoyed expression on her face.
"Master, they are here" She simply said and swiftly stepped away from the door, revealing multiple people behind her, answering his unspoken question. As she sat down next to him and placed the cups in front of them, the people started entering as well.
"I thought you went to get coffee and not them?" Shin leaned towards her and quietly asked with a lifted eyebrow.
"I did, but I ran into them on my way back." She replied and also leaned towards him. "And you know how the Zenins are, I basically had no choice from there on" she whispered with an apologetic, but at the same time annoyed, tone.
Shin clicked with his tongue. Yeah, he knew the Zenins, he had interacted enough with them in the past to know their outdated conservative views, but which old clan was different? The Gojo clan definitely wasn't, none, for a matter of fact, of 3 great clans was.
He finished his line of thoughts just as the last Person had entered the room and a man stepped forward. This man was Ogi Zenin, the younger brother of the current Clan head and a semi–Special Grade sorcerer, a man with formidable power indeed. Shin actually never met him in person, but his appearance pretty much matched his expectations, as well as the way he carried himself, standing as if he was better than everyone else in the room. People like him were what poisoned the system and the clans.
"Gojo-san, we are here because of your mission to track and exterminate Suguru Geto" He jumped straight to the purpose of his and his squads appearance. "More precisely, you have been assigned to work with us and provide us with information." Now it finally made sense to Shin why the Higher-Ups wanted him to stay in this room and wait for someone or something, they assigned him to a group to 'help' them, which probably would routinely report to the Higher-Ups about his every single step and move. He was fully aware why they did that; they were afraid of losing the power they up-held for decades. In recent times people like Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto and Toji Fushiguro made them realise how quickly their power could get pulled from underneath them, so they chained down everyone who they could not fully control. Well, the ones they could.
But Shin wondered why the Elders didn't tell him about this detail, but before he could voice it, they continued. "The Higher Ups anticipate that you would decline, which you are of course allowed to, so they send me, the leading position of this mission, to talk to you in person and tell you about the consequences if you decide to decline." He formally explained and Shin would swear it had a threatening undertone.
"Which would be...?" He inquired further.
"Do you decline?" Ogi answered with a counter question. Shin grimaced; this was definitely a threat. Either cooperate or face consequences of unknown size. He stared at the table as he weighted the pros and cons. What could those consequences be... nothing that would directly stop him from performing the mission. Because in that case he would have been told so from the beginning. That means the consequences would be something affecting his execution of the mission.
He shifted his gaze towards the group "Alright" he said before he stood up. "I am honoured Zenin-san" he lifted his cup "but I am afraid, that I need to decline, I prefer to work alone with Hamako". He wouldn't let the Higher-Ups chain him down so easily nor work with uptight Zenins, no matter the consequences. He stood beside his chair for a second and took a sip from his coffee. He expected the old Zenin to speak up again, which to his surprise didn't happen, so he turned to leave. "Let's go Hamako" She quickly got up. But before they could leave, a young voice stopped them.
"Gojo-san, why wouldn't you choose us over a woman?" The voice belonged to Naoya Zenin, Ogis nephew, a very talented kid. "I understand why some would want to travel with a beauty like her. Beauty is something rare when fighting cursed spirits, but why choose her over us? I can't-"
He stopped when he heard and saw Hamako chuckling, which visibly irritated him. He wanted to provoke her so he could prove his point, but instead she was mocking him?!
Unbeknown to Naoya, Hamako heard comments like this all the time. It did annoy her a lot, but it was one thing to hear it from a grown man, but an entirely different thing to hear it from a small brat who was 10 years to early to even attempt criticizing her.
"Are you mocking me?" He slowly asked.
"And what if I am~" She responded teasingly with a chuckle. The way his tiny misogynistic brain couldn't comprehend the situation, was what made it so amusing to her. It probably amused Shin just as much as it did her, but he would never show it. Not in front of the people in this room.
After clenching his fists in anger as well as slowly shaking, Naoya started leaking cursed energy, ready to attack her for 'not knowing her place' and daring to 'embarrass' him like that.
"That's enough Noaya" Ogi stopped his nephew before the situation could escalate any further, but it was evident due to his expression that he was unhappy. "And you Gojo-san, you should teach your servant proper manners" He looked Shin deeply into his blindfolded eyes. "Furthermore, if you get in the way of me and my squad, it could be seen as a purposeful sabotage. I advise you to be careful."
His words hang in the air, until Shin started walking towards the door again. "I will keep that in mind, Ogi" But when he reached the doorframe, he turned his head towards them "Let me give you an advice as well, every threat you give, will eventually come and bite you in the ass." He paused as if he remembered something. "Oh right, you should know that. After all, you went around threatening people with what would happen when you become the Clan head, but in the end, you didn't become it." Shin said with a mocking grin.
Not even waiting for a response, he and Hamako finally left, leaving Ogi, Naoya and the Hei squad alone.
After a short while of silence Ogi finally reacted, by smashing his fist against the table, effectively spreading cracks all over its surface.
"Z-zenin-sama.." One of the Hei squad members spoke up.
"This insolent bastard" he snarled "doesn't know his place...Thinks he can talk to me on equal footing and even mock me! Just because he is the same Grade as me... keep an eye on him, we will most definitely run into them again."
"Uncle" Naoya raised his voice again, this time a lot calmer than before "isn't that a testimony of his strength? He surely has the rank for a reason, right?"
In another moment of silence Ogi deeply in and exhaled before he calmly answered "A rank is not completely determined by one's strength, but also by their knowledge, potential capabilities and a lot more. Gojo-san, much like his cousin, does as he pleases, thus making him unpredictable for the Elders. But he is too valuable to simply discard him. After all, he is so far the only sorcerer who is part of the Jujutsu underworld and the official Jujutsu world."
After another moment of silence "So you see Naoya, his rank isn't purely based on his strength. But on the level of a threat the elders deem him. If he really were that strong, he would be known for that and not for his connections."
Unknown Location
A young man with orange hair sat in a cold dark cell, the light of a nearby candle barley illuminating him and the numerous talismans that covered the walls.
His hair was bright and covered in clumps of dirt, as well being long enough to reach the floor even if he stood up. Shivering ever so slightly from time to time, but otherwise unmoving, which was rather impressive given his environment and clothing.
He sat in silence, until a man in a butler uniform approached the cell. His gaze fixed one the floor, but his chuckles signified that he had noticed the said man. "Am I finally worthy of Fathers time?" His question was followed by a series of dry coughs. He had barely drunk anything in the past weeks.
"You are mistaken, I am not here because of orders from your father." The Butler responded formally and lowered his voice "I am here, because I potentially found a way to break you out and free you from your 'curse'."
Recognising the voice, he rapidly looked up, eyes widened in surprise and mouth opened just as wide, straight into the grinning face of- "Kuro!?" Yes, Kuro. Grinning from one ear to another.
"The one and only!" he laughed warmly, immediately lightening up the mood, despite their current environment.
"How-? what? Huuuuuuh" The orange haired prisoner stumbled over his words. Not wasn't he expecting that at all, but he could barely believe it as well. He thought everyone who was on his side had been killed by is father. Said father somehow gained knowledge of his sons' supporters and executed every single one of them for 'treason'. Well, as he saw now not all of them. "How did you not get caught?" He finally managed to say.
"I am just that good, Ichigo. Nobody is gonna catch the soon to be number one Spy any time soon." He said confidentially and continued to grin like a stupid kid.
"Did anyone else survive like you?" Ichigo asked while his confusion slowly faded and his face did something it hadn't for a while. Smiled. "Ah, they sure did. I can't wait to see them!" He closed his eyes, remembering each of their faces. Benimaru, Shion, Souhei, Shuna and Hakurou, he really hoped he could get out and see them soon.
But what Ichigo didn't noticed, was how the corners of Kuros mouth slowly sank as he looked aside. Ashamed. He didn't know how to tell Ichigo, how could he tell Ichigo that all their friends had died. For the first time in forever, since has been inside this cell, Ichigo smiled. Should he really destroy that moment? But would lying be better? He could tell him they where looking for the person that could help as they spoke... He glanced back at Ichigo, engrossed in his thoughts and happy memories, smiling. Alright, he would lie. He would lie to keep that smile, even if it was for a little bit.
Putting a fake smile on he started talking again, "Yeah, they are currently out there looking for the one way I told you about." pulling Ichigo out of his dream bubble.
"I thought there was no way to free me from the curse, how did you find a way?" He asked in return, while fully believing into Kuros ability to get him out, but what about his 'curse'? He had tried everything and nothing had worked, it was almost comical. "You should know I as well as I do, this is my curse." He couldn't keep anything he desired, but couldn't get rid of the one thing he didn't want. Well, besides his closest friends.
"I am not a 100% sure it will work, so don't get your hopes up too far, but there is a rumour of a sorcerer being able to take cursed energy away, permanently." Kuro explained "But before I tell you more, lets get you out first." He stepped closer to the bars of the cell and started inspecting them. "Now... how to break these..." he muttered to himself as his hand gently slid across them.
Ichigo slowly and weakly got up, pulling Kuros attention back to him. "Ichigo what-" He stopped himself from shouting "Ichigo what are you doing, sit back down, you haven't eaten anything in days! Your body is weak right now!" Kuro whispered sternly as he tightly gripped the bars.
"No, I want to help yo- "But before Ichigo could finish he tripped and fell towards the bars. Kuro quickly reached his arms out and grabbed him by the shirt. However, the momentum was far too much for the poorly-made shirt, resulting in a tear stretching over the whole thing and Ichigo dropping onto the floor.
A loud THUD echoed trough the whole hallway.
Slowly getting back up Ichigo groaned as he sat on floor, his chest had a few minor scratches, but otherwise he was surprisingly unhurt.
"Ichigo!" Kuro whispered trough gritted teeth "What are you doing?! You know we have to stay quiet" A somewhat worried expression filled his face as his eyes darted between the hallway and Ichigo.
Said orange head smiled apologetically as he picked up a piece from the torn cloth. "Maybe they didn't hear?" He voiced hopefully. Maybe they would get lucky.
They wouldn't. Seconds later they had muffled voices and shuffled steps. The Guards.
As soon they heard it, they quickly started to look for a way to open the door. They would use Cursed energy; wouldn't the bars be covered in countless cursed-energy-repelling talismans. The only way to open this cell, was with a key. There was no other way. That is, if you wanted to stay subtle.
"This" Kuro smiled awkwardly "has turned into a difficult situation."
Tokyo, The Kabukicho
Suguru Geto stood in front of a panoramic window inside of the penthouse he currently inhabited. The lights were turned off and the only thing lightening up the room were the bustling lights of the Kabukicho, which he observed as if he was waiting for something.
"The Kabukicho is truly an interesting place" he suddenly started talking, most likely addressing his adopted daughters in the background, Mimiko and Nanako. "During the day, its just a plain normal part of the city, but during the night it shines bright, awakening humans darkest temptations." Without turning around he continued "You see, Mimiko and Nanako, as to where the monkeys come here for pleasure, Jujutsu Sorceress come here for business. Because together with the monkeys darkest desires, most of the darkest Jujutsu Sorcerers awaken and get active as well."
Both of them silently nodded, but didn't said anything. Mimiko and Nanako weren't really talkative with him, yet. After all, it has been only mere months since he adopted them. It generally has been only mere months since his life took a massive turn. Months had already passed since he became a traitor.
Suguru continued to ponder on the everything that had happened in the last months, right up until a knock on the door interrupted his line of thoughts.
"Come in" He responded simply.
The door quietly opened and a woman slowly entered, but staying in the dark back of the room. "We have new information Geto-san." Without waiting for his response, she continued. "First of all, we were finally able to locate the Cult you asked for and are ready to move out towards it as soon as you order it. Furthermore, the Jujutsu-Headquarters dispatched multiple Individuals to take care of you, so to speak."
The last point got Suguru to raise his eyebrow. The headquarters really sent somebody else than Satoru after him...This was truly interesting. "Who did they send?" He asked simply as he turned to face the woman in the back.
"If our intel is correct then its the following, Shin Gojo and Ogi Zenin together with a Hei squad." She paused as he heard Suguru chuckle, but continued after waiting a few seconds. "These are the only groups for now, but there is a rumour that the elders plan on sending more people. That's everything Get-San." She finished formally.
"Thanks for the info, Hiraki" he responded with a smile and gently bowed his head a little.
Hiraki nodded and silently left the room.
Suguru continued to stare into the dark back of the room, but slowly shifted his gaze to the softly sleeping Mimiko and Nanako. Apparently while he was talking to Hiraki, they fell asleep closely hugging each other. He smiled warmly and soundlessly approached them and placed a warm blanket on them. They have experienced a lot and even though a few months passed, they still needed time. They wouldn't heal that quickly. Nobody would, it was a process after all. His mind drifted towards the memory of the fateful day he met them, his warm smile vanishing as he remembered. That was the Day that changed everything, it was the day he fully realised how inferior and unworthy the normal humans, no, the monkeys were. It was a realization, which was months in the making, up until he saw those two little innocent girls, locked and starved in a cage, for the deeds of a curse. All because these monkeys can't tell the difference between a curse and someone who is using cursed energy.
"Fucking monkeys..." He angrily muttered under his breath, but suddenly he noticed the uneasy face of Nanako and noticed that in his anger he subconsciously started leaking faint bits of his cursed energy. Slowly in- and exhaling he steadily calmed down, until the flow of cursed energy stopped and Nanakos face relaxed again. Impressive, she managed to pick this faint amount of cursed energy up, even though she and her sister have close to no experience in that field.
Suguru went and stood back in front of the window. So, the elders sent 'the man with the connections' out of the Gojo clan, instead the 'Strongest Sorcerer' Satoru Gojo himself, and the brother of the current Zenin clan head, together with a small squad from the Hei-Corpse. But if 'Shin Gojo' wouldn't have a certain level of strength he wouldn't have been sent...Well maybe the higher-ups underestimated him...or overestimated Shin.
"And so the calm before the storm ends" He chuckled to himself. Now that he found the cult he looked for, he could finally make his move as well. In addition, he had one key advantage over Jujutsu tech., he had a man on the inside.
End of chapter two, thanks for reading!!!
Notes:
-The Semi special grade, is officially called "Special Grade 1". But I changed it for an easier understanding.
-The Kabukicho is the biggest Red-Light district in Japan (as of my knowledge) and is located in Tokyo, Shinjaku.
Thanks for everyone who liked, saved and left a review on the first chapter! I hope I can meet your expectations and make a good story, even if I have little to no experience.
Please leave feedback, so I can improve on the story and my overall writing skills.
-Cloudy
Ps: Don't expect regular uploads, it's just a hobby I do on the side whenever I have the time, motivation and just feel like it. But following chapters shouldn't take as long as this one.