"Why are you so surprised?" Sukuna laughed, dark amusement radiating off the small eye and mouth. "Did you forget that you're not the only ones watching the future?"
Everyone was tense, some bringing out their cursed energy in case Sukuna did something.
"Shut up," Itadori growled, slapping the mouth. It reappeared on his hand, grinning.
"I was only making a comment," Sukuna said, as if he were a part of their group. "I would kill you all, but unfortunately, I don't know what'll happen if I do. However, once we're out of here, I can't say I won't."
"You can't with Yuuji-kun in control~" Gojo sang, his posture relaxing after the sudden surprise. His voice deepened as he grew serious. "Even if you did, I'd exorcise you."
There was a beat of silence, before Sukuna chuckled, withdrawing. "We'll have to see about that, won't we?"
"Tch. What a bastard." Itadori scoffed. He turned to the group and bowed in apology. "Sorry! I wasn't able to suppress him this time. It won't happen again."
"It's fine," Nobara said, slumping down in her seat. She pulled up a blanket to get comfortable. At the other's stares, she raised a brow. "What, are we not going to watch? What's with you guys?"
Gojo giggled, whispering a 'she's so crazy', while Nanami sighed at him. He couldn't understand why he was so fixated on the three first years.
"Nothing."
The rest took their seats, as Gojo pushed play.
Megumi stood outside the gates waiting patiently as the rain fell. The surrounding area glitched, alerting him the Domain disappeared. The Innate Domain's closed off! The special-grade is dead! Now we just need Itadori to return safely...
He suddenly gasped, feeling a presence behind him.
"Sorry, but he's not coming back." Sukuna said from behind. He smiled leisurely as he continued. "Don't be so frightened. I'm in a good mood right now. Let's chat for a bit."
"Please, the King of Curses looking for a chat?" Maki scoffed, throwing popcorn at the screen.
Nobara snickered, slurping loudly on her drink. She watched the screen carefully, making sure to remember anything of importance.
Megumi watched warily as Sukuna continued to speak without care. The curse was facing the rest of the forest, knowing fully well the sorcerer would listen.
"This is what he gets for trying to use me without any kind of pact. Feels like he's suddenly having a hard time switching back." Sukuna slowly ripped Itadori's uniform. "Still, though...It's only a matter of time. So...I thought about I can do right now."
An evil grin spread across the curses's face, as Megumi sucked in a breath of horror. Sukuna plunged his hand into Itadori's chest, creating a disgusting squelch. An unhinged laugh spilled out, as blood spurt from his mouth. Sukuna clawed through the body, feeling for Itadori's heart.
"M-My heart?!" Itadori squawked, pawing at his chest as if weren't there.
"Itadori!" Startled shouts echoed in the room, mouths gaping open. While they had expected the old curse to be underhanded, they didn't think they'd see it so soon.
Gojo frowned, still angry about the fact that he wasn't able to be there.
"What the fuck." Nobara whispered, a hysterical laugh bubbling up. While she hadn't known Itadori for long, it was still a disturbing seeing her teammate's heart being ripped out. Megumi's hand squeezed Nobara's.
"W-What are you..." Megumi couldn't form the words hanging heavy on his tongue.
More blood flowed out as Sukuna pulled the heart out. "I'm taking this brat hostage."
"Ah, is this what that report meant?" Nanami sighed, thinking back to the previous episodes.
Itadori jerked in realization. It was either him or Megumi that would've died by the end of this. Guilt buried itself inside Itadori's gut as he thought about inadvertently the one to kill Megumi. Before he could say anything, Megumi beat him to it.
"Itadori, none of it's your fault." The black haired boy reassured. Itadori swallowed, throat dry.
"Hostage?!"
"Yeah. I can live without this, but that ain't true for the brat." Sukuna tossed the heart to the ground as if it were trash. "Switching out with me means he dies. Also..." He held up the finger. "For good measure."
"It'll be impossible to switch now," Miwa muttered worriedly.
Sukuna's finger! That special-grade curse must have consumed it!
"Now then..." Sukuna flexed his fingers. "With that, I'm as free as a bird. You can be frightened now. I'll kill you! For no particular reason."
"Our positions are reversed now..." Megumi muttered. Fury coursed through his veins.
The only thing granted equally is an unfair reality, Megumi narrated. A young girl in a school uniform was sleeping, surrounded by wilted flowers and a curse mark stained on her forehead.
"Who's that?" Itadori asked, glancing at Megumi. The boy had an unreadable expression on his face.
"My sister." Megumi didn't bother explaining anything further, knowing that his counterpart would tell them in the future. It was uncomfortable knowing that his past would be exposed, but it wasn't like he could avoid it. Besides, the other's in the room probably shared the same sentiments.
"You just don't get it." Megumi moved into a fighting stance. "He's...Itadori's coming back. Even if it means he'll die. That's just who he is."
"Aww," Nobara teased, nudging Megumi's ribs. "You actually have faith in him~"
Megumi huffed in embarrassment, seeing the smiles sent his way. It wasn't as if he didn't care for them, he just didn't show it often.
Gojo leaned across Itadori who was grinning, eyes curved into crescent moons. "Megumi-chan is actually showing he cares? So cute~"
Megumi glared at Gojo, flipping him off. "Shut up. Why are you guys so focused on this?"
Nanami shook his head, as the others secretly exchanged looks. If only he knew...
"You give him to much credit. This guy's just a lot tougher and denser than other humans." Sukuna wiped the blood off. "Just a moment ago, he was scared out of his mind, on the verge of death, and prattling on about his regrets and all that nonsense. I know for a fact he doesn't have the guts to kill himself."
His arm is restored! Megumi observed, eyes narrowing. He was reminded when the other special grade cut it off without moving. Healing...He can use Reversed Cursed Techniques. Sukuna's incarnated. Even if he could live without a heart, it'd still be somewhat damaging to him. I'll make him heal his heart before Itadori returns. I just need to make him believe he can't beat me if he doesn't have a heart his body.
"Yeah, that's not gonna work at all. Should've thought of something better." Mai said, crossing her arms. Though her words were harsh, she knew that there was very little Megumi could've done. Hell, if she were in his position, she wouldn't fair well at all.
"Mai!" Miwa hissed, glancing at Megumi in worry.
Megumi didn't appear to hear them, so they stopped talking.
Can I do that...When I couldn't even move with that special-grade in front of me? His arm trembled. It's not about whether I can. I have to do it!
Yuta hummed, impressed by his mental strength.
Megumi clasped his hand together. Shadows spread around him as Nue emerged screeching. At the same time, they both began charging at Sukuna, who was unfazed.
Sukuna ran his finger through his hair as he said, "I'm finally outside, after all. Let's use the open space."
All of Megumi's attacks were dodged by Sukuna, fruitless. However, it garnered Sukuna's attention.
"We'll need to work on your coordination, Megumi." Gojo noted, also observing Sukuna's fighting style.
Megumi nodded, serious about getting stronger.
"Interesting." Sukuna grinned, looking down on a determined Megumi. Nue flew at him from behind. "You use Shikigami, yet you still come at me yourself?"
Megumi frowned. "Is that not normal?"
"Usually summoner types stay at the rear while their shikigami are fighting." Yuta said, finally inputing his thoughts on the situation. "I think its a good skill to have, and not rely on them, in case anything happens."
"I see."
The two striked in sync, punching, kicking as Sukuna asked for more.
"More. More. More." Sukuna caught the incoming fist, pulling Megumi in with a crazy grin. His eyes were glowing red in excitement. "More! Put more curse behind it. When you strike me!"
Maki gave a weird, yet understanding look. "He really is battle crazy."
Todo raised a brow. "Like you aren't?"
Mai laughed, agreeing with Todo. "You also like picking fights."
A tick mark appeared on Maki's forehead. "I do not! You guys are the ones who mistake whatever I say."
"Uhuh. Sure."
A solid blow to the face forced Megumi back as he summoned another Shikigami. Orochi! A large white snake with the Shikigami marks came from the ground, capturing Sukuna and sending him upwards.
"Gang up on him!" Megumi shouted, Nue flying through the strong wind and rain, electricity crackling on it's wings. The bird squawked and drove lightening into Sukuna as Orochi flung him around.
"Nice!" Miwa cheered, satisfaction coursing through her body. It was nice seeing him electrocuted, after he ripped out Itadori's heart. Though she would never admit it out loud.
The others gave their encouragements, yelling at the screen for Megumi to hit him more.
Utahime and Ieiri locked eyes after witnessing the scene below. It was refreshing to see the students getting along, instead of trying to beat each other up. Utahime dipped her head respectfully, while Ieiri gave a small smile.
With a smirk, Sukuna released himself from the grasp, his cursed energy bursting Orochi into pieces. Before Megumi could make another move, Sukuna had grabbed onto his uniform.
"Hey. What did I tell you?" Sukuna mercilessly swung Megumi through the trees. "Let's use the open space!"
The throw was so powerful it launched him into the sky after crashing through the forest. Megumi tried to righten himself, yet Sukuna had already caught up to him. The curse kicked Megumi in the stomach, forcing him back down, but this time through several buildings. Another punch was given and all Megumi could do was take it.
"Fushiguro!" Itadori gasped, Nobara's arm stinging slightly with how tight he was gripping her. She didn't seem to mind, as she gave the same treatment to Megumi.
"Right here, dumbass," Megumi replied, rolling his eyes. Whatever happened on the screen wasn't actually him, though the sight of him being beaten badly made him nauseous.
Nobara smacked his arm for the remark, concern reflected in her eyes. Near them, Kamo winced, imagining the pain that accompanied it.
Nue caught him as he fell from the sky, trying to get away. Megumi hung limp in his claws.
It's not even a matter of jujutsu. His power and agility are on a different scale!
"He is the King of Curses," Gojo reminded, not realizing he was biting his bottom lip anxiously. Nanami handed him water which he drowned quickly.
"Nice technique there," Sukuna praised, arms raised, as he shot them both down. The building crumbled as Megumi and Nue crashed to the ground.
"Ouch," Miwa cringed, touching her back. Bones were definitely broken.
"Remind me to never get on Sukuna's angry side." Mechamaru muttered.
"Agreed. If this was his 'nice' side, I can't imagine what his mad side would be."
What do I do? I used up one of my Shikigami to escape that Innate Domain. Demon Dog White and Orochi are both destroyed...And Nue's at his limit too. Megumi pat Nue. I should release him before he gets destroyed.
Nue was sent back immediately as Sukuna started to talk again. "I get it now. So your Shikigami are created from the shadows."
It makes no difference if he knows that know, Megumi thought. "So what?"
"Hmm..." Sukuna placed his hand on his chin. It's not the generic technique that uses charms. It's adaptable too. "I don't get it, though. Why did you run back then? What a waste of talent."
"Talent?" Megumi questioned.
Yaga nodded. "You have a lot of potential, but you keep running from fights. That's not to say it's a bad thing, but know that you'll gain needed experience when you continue to fight."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Yaga turned to the rest of the students, including the Kyoto ones. "This goes for all of you."
Megumi looked up in confusion.
"Whatever. Either way, that won't be enough to fix this."
He figured it out, huh? Megumi jerkily stood up.
"You're risking your life over stupid shit. This brat isn't even worth that much."
"He is worth that much!" Nobara huffed, annoyed. While she rarely spoke about her thoughts on the boys, she knew Itadori was special from their conversations. Besides, he was the first to host Sukuna without being taken over for curses sakes!
"Haha..." Itadori smiled sheepishly at her remark, feeling a little flustered, yet touched.
Gojo nodded along patting his head. "That's right Nobara-chan~ Itadori is one of a kind!"
"Sensei!" The pink head's eyes sparkled.
Megumi sank down in his chair, second hand embarrassment coursing though him. Did they not have any decorum? And everyone was staring at them! Why must I be associated with them...He thought, covering his face with his jacket.
Itadori's words replayed in mind. Then why did you bother saving me?!
The only thing granted equally is an unfair reality.
"If I have the time to curse someone, I'd rather spend it thinking about those precious to me." Tsumiki said. The scene glitched.
There was no room to doubt what a good person she was. She deserved happiness more than anyone else. But Tsumiki was still cursed. Megumi lifted a hand. His cursed energy surrounded it. The father who name me 'Megumi' with no regard for my gender is still living off as he pleases somewhere. Karma isn't fully automatic. Evil people can only be judged under the law.
Gojo shifted uncomfortably at the mention of Megumi's father. His hand reached the non existent scar on his neck, reminding him what transpired years ago.
Nanami noticed the action but didn't comment.
Jujutsu sorcerers are just another cog in the machine of retribution. I want more good people to enjoy fairness, even if only a few. So I...By now, Megumi's entire body was covered in blue. Save people unequally!
"Those are some good ideals, kid." Ieiri said.
Sukuna felt the sudden rise in cursed pressure. At Megumi's look, Sukuna grinned widely. "Nice. That's it. So this is when you start burning through your life! Now I see. Well, in that case...Show me Fushiguro Megumi!"
"Oh my," Nobara's brow rose. "He's a little to eager, don't you think?"
She got a chorus of agreements in return.
"Sacred treasure swing and ring, ring-Eight Grip!" Before the incantation could be completed, Megumi stopped producing cursed energy. "Just so you know, I...don't have any logical reason for saving you back then. Even if it was dangerous, I couldn't bear to see a good person like you die. I did have my reservations, but ultimately, it was for selfish, emotional reasons. That's fine though. I'm not a hero. I'm a jujutsu sorcerer."
"Fushiguro..." Tears streamed down Itadori's face at those words. Nobara gave him a comforting squeeze, eyes glassing.
Everyone knew what was coming, sadness wafting over them as they watched. Though the real Itadori was alive, it was still terrible.
The markings on Itadori's face disappeared. Itadori had possession of his own body again.
"That's why I never once regretted saving you."
Itadori gave him a sad, yet relieved smile. "I see. You really are smart Fushiguro. You've put more thought into this than I have. I think your convictions are a proper one, but I don't think mine are wrong, either." Blood now flowed freely from his chest. "Oh. Sorry, I'm almost done for. Guess I won't have to worry about you, Kugisaki, or Gojo-sensei. Live a long life."
Itadori fell, as if time had slowed. Megumi couldn't look at the body, filled with grief.
"So this is how I die," Itadori sniffled, blowing his nose loudly. It sort of broke the tension, with a few small chuckles.
The teachers passed the students tissues, seeing the crestfallen faces. Even the usual more calm students like Kamo, and Maki were sorrowful. Glancing at each other, they silently vowed to let it never show up again.
The sun shown brightly on the bustling city. At a crosswalk, two curses were surrounded by humans.
The first one, had long hair, wore traditional clothing, with a green and yellow square fabric at the front of his outfit. The most notable thing however, was the large stitch crossing his forehead.
"THAT'S-" Gojo instantly sat up, ripping off his glasses. There was no way it was possible. Geto had died!
"Sensei?" Itadori asked, seeing his shocked expression.
"Hah!" Gojo shook his head in disbelief. There was no way it Geto. Anger suddenly surged through his body quickly, cursed energy spiking to intense heights. Who dared to take over his friend's body?!
"Pull yourself together!" Yaga barked, noticing how everyone around Gojo could feel the pressure. While he understood Gojo's reaction, he needed to be calm, and rational. He was only scaring the students with the way his cursed energy was fluctuating.
Gojo took reign over his cursed energy, and took a deep breath. "Sorry 'bout that."
"Just don't do it again." Utahime said, looking over the students. The teachers were completely fine, as they had experienced it before, but to those who hadn't, the pressure was to much.
Yuta glanced at the second years, questions running through his mind. Maki frowned, remembering the incident the previous year. Inumaki shrugged, just as confused, and Panda has a curious look on his face.
"Are you alright sensei?" Nobara asked, after a small stretch of silence.
"Peachy!" Gojo laughed, sliding on a fake smile. He was distressed, but there was nothing he could do about it. He only hoped he could beat the shit out of whoever did that to his friend. "Don't worry your pretty little head over this."
Nobara nodded, turning back to the screen.
Everyone knew not to ask anymore questions, seeing as the tv would answer them later on, and in doing so would only aggravate Gojo more.
His companion on the other hand, looked nothing remotely like a human. His head was a volcano with on eye, and his body was made of stone; round, yet jagged.
"Well, tell me." The volcano head said. "Was there any real reason to use a precious finger to test Sukuna's strength?"
"Mount Fuji!" Itadori laughed, amused by the curse's head. Nobara snickered, fist bumping him.
"Are we going to ignore the what it just said?" Kamo sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. He was starting to tire, after watching to many episodes.
"Of course not," Sukuna's voice rang out. He hissed out the next words. "Those fools think they can test me? I'll have their heads served on a platter."
"What are you going to do from inside Itadori?" Mai's brow rose, examining a nail.
Sukuna ignored her, eyes focused on Megumi. He smirked when Megumi glared at him. He retreated back into domain, reminding them he was still there.
"Ugh, that bastard." Itadori groaned.
"Well, there wasn't much point to it with a half baked test case. But we did learn a few things."
"Hmph. I'll be praying that's not just an excuse." Behind them, two more curses showed up.
There was a tree like curse, with roots instead of eyes. It's left arm was entirely covered. Next to it was a large squid life curse.
".lla retfa , sesruC fo gniK eht si eH."
"What the fuck?"
Jogo turned to the tree curse annoyed. His head puffed out black smoke. "Stop talking! No one understands what you're saying!"
The light turned green.
"We don't understand, yet the meaning flows right into our minds. It's creepy!"
They entered a cafe restaurant, with a young woman in a bun who greeted them. "Welcome! Would you like a seat for one?"
Geto walked in with the rest of the curses trailing behind him. He smiled with his eyes closed. "Yes. One seat, please."
"Thank god they can't see them." Miwa made a face.
"Indeed. Civilians would have a heart attack if they encountered one and could see em."
"Let's just pray they don't harm anyone in there."
"If you encounter it, your choices are to either die or run." Ijichi said, hand folded, body bent slightly forward in apology. "I warned them that fighting was absolutely not an option."
"It was intentional." Gojo replied, sitting on the bench near Itadori's body. The boy was covered by a white sheet.
"Eh, really?" Itadori tilted his head.
Megumi replied. "You're Sukuna's vessel. They'd do anything to get rid of you."
"Yup, with me away, you're open to all attacks." Gojo explained, twirling his sun glasses.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"There was a special-grade. Sending first-years to rescue five who may or may not be alive should be out of the question." Gojo explained, hand rubbing through his hair. "Besides, with Yuuji, I was the one who forced the issue and got his execution indefinitely extended. Some higher-ups who didn't like that took advantage of my absence and the special-grade to tactfully dispose of him."
"See? Even my other self agrees."
Everyone rolled their eyes.
Ijichi shook in disbelief.
"If the other two died, it'd be more harassment for me and two birds with one stone for them." Gojo continued.
"No-But, no one expected it to become a special-grade by the time the dispatch was issued." Ijichi reasoned.
"Searching for someone to blame is just a pain." Gojo's voice deepened. "Maybe I should just...kill all the higher-ups."
"Kill?!" The students squawked, gaping at their teacher.
"Gojo if you say that!" Utahime face palmed, shaking her head. She wasn't against it though.
"What? I'd do it in a heart beat! Besides those old geezers are way to stuck on tradition. The jujutsu world would never advance if we kept them!" Gojo replied, getting thoughtful looks back.
"I agree," Megumi started, pushing Gojo away when he tried to pat him. "But you could get in trouble for saying that."
"Pssh! What are they gonna do, fight me?"
Ijichi jerked back, just as the doors to the lab opened. A woman with brown hair and dark circles noted something about Gojo. "You're not usually this emotional."
Ijichi bowed swiftly as he gave her a hello. "It's good to see you, Ieiri-san!"
"It looks to me you've taken quite a liking to him."
Gojo raised a finger. "I've always been a nice guy who cares for my students."
"Nice my ass." Maki rolled her eyes. "You dump your missions on us when your lazy."
"You laugh and poke at us when we get hurt." Megumi added.
"You flaunt your money whenever you can! You knew I wanted that hat, yet you bought it for yourself!" Nobara glared, fist shaking near his face.
"And you're to embarrassing to take out in public, knowing that women will flock to you." Panda said, crossing his arms.
Inumaki nodded, and pointed at his hair.
"Hmm? What happened to your hair?" Nobara asked curiously.
"Gojo pranked him by putting purple dye in his shampoo. Couldn't get it out for a month." Maki explained.
Nanami sweat dropped.
"He still cares for us though, right sensei?" Itadori stated, smiling kindly at Gojo.
"Yuuji-kun!" Gojo pulled him into a hug, squishing him. He was happy that someone finally took his side for once. "Of course I care!"
"Hmpf! You're still annoying." Nobara said, but even she couldn't deny it. Gojo had done a lot for them, even if he was loud and over the top.
"Don't torment Ijichi too much." Ieiri chided. Ijichi turned red. "He's got it rough, stuck between us and the higher-ups."
Keep going! Keep going! Keep going! The man thought, happy for someone to finally take notice of his struggles.
"Poor Ijichi-san." Kamo said. It must've been tough having to deal with them alone.
"I don't care about a man's hardships." Gojo retorted, completely ignoring how Ijichi felt.
"Is that so?"
Ijichi froze in surprise.
Ieiri lifted the cover to se Itadori. "So this is...Sukuna's vessel, huh? I can take him apart as I please, right?"
"Make sure to get a good use out of him."
"Jeez sensei!" Itadori grumbled. "At least treat me with care."
"Of course, Itadori-kun." Ieiri replied. "I wouldn't just dissect you just like that."
"That's not what he meant." Mechamaru sighed.
"Oh, I will. Who do you think I am?"
"'Live a long life'? Doesn't mean much when you go and die yourself." Nobara commented, head resting on her shoulder as she sat next to Megumi on the steps. "Is this your first time having a partner die?"
"First time for one my age."
"Hmm." Nobara looked almost bored with the conversation. "You seem to be taking it quite well, considering."
"Same to you."
"I thought you cared!"
"Obviously. We're just not vocal about it."
"Of course." She turned to the side. "I've only known him for about two weeks. I'm not some simple woman who breaks down bawling when a guy I barely know dies. Tch. Jeez."
Despite that, when Megumi stared at her, lips trembling. There was a moment of sadness before Megumi commented on the heat. "It's hot, isn't it?"
"At least I'm not bawling," Nobara said, feeling relieved.
"Eh? Why?"
"My makeup is to expensive." She answered. "Can't waste an hours work."
"Isn't that stupid?" Kamo asked.
"No, she's right." Momo interjected. "Why would you want a 'look' to be finished only to be ruined by tears? Makeup is way to pricey nowadays."
"Yeah. Wonder if it's time for summer uniforms."
There was another beat of silence, before a someone came over. "What's this? You're looking more glum than usual Megumi. This a wake or something?"
Megumi looked up to see Maki who stared back at them. Her glasses glinted in the sun. "Zenin-senpai."
She frowned as she said, "Don't call me by my last name!"
"What's wrong with your last name?"
Maki and Mai scowled. "I hate the Zenins. They can just up and die for all I care."
"Maki! Maki!" Another voice broke through the clearing. Maki turned around to see Panda and Inumaki partially hiding behind a stone statue.
"I'm talking here."
"Y-You actually don't know why they're so down?" Panda half whispered.
"Oh shit!" Mai started laughing, tears streaming down her face. "How could you not know?"
"Shut up!" Maki growled, ears pink.
Yuta smiled, and Maki noticed. "You too?!"
"What are you talking about."
"Someone really did die yesterday!On of our first-year boys!"
"Bonito flakes." Inumaki added.
Maki's expression turned to panic as she glared at them. "You should've told me sooner! Now I look like some heartless, cold-blooded demon!"
"Oh, Maki-chan," Gojo tittered, wagging a finger. "That was bad, even for you."
"It's fine, Maki-san," Nobara laughed, slapping Itadori's back.
Everyone shook their heads in amusement, glad they weren't at the center of it.
"That's exactly how you came off!" Maki turned even more pissed.
"Tuna mayo."
"You're supposed to try and make me feel better!"
Megumi and Nobara watched with deadpan expressions, the three second years forgetting they were there.
"Who are those guys?" Nobara asked, pointing at them.
"Our second-year upperclassmen."
"You have to be kinder to you underclassmen."
A small blush appeared on Maki. "There's more to kindness than being soft on them."
"True. People need to be more straight forward. Reality is a bitch."
"Zenin-senpai is the best of all students at wielding cursed tools." Megumi informed.
"Salmon roe."
"That's the cursed-speech user, Inumaki senpai. He can only speak in rice ball ingredients."
"He's a bit softer when Yuta's around, though."
"Is that so?" Yuta turned to Inumaki who shrugged.
"Panda-senpai. There's one more, Okkotsu-senpai, who's the only one I can openly respect," Megumi stood up. "But he's overseas right now."
"Not even me?" Gojo whined.
"Never you."
"You're not adding more about the panda named Panda?" Nobara questioned.
Panda grinned. "There's not much more to be said about me."
"Man, sorry about this." Panda apologized. "And when you're in mourning...Please forgive us for that. Truth is, we'd like for you to participate in the Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event."
"Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event?" Nobara asked, confused. "What's that?"
"It's a get together with the other Tech school in Kyoto. Though, isn't that mainly second and third years?"
"Geh. They got into trouble." Maki sighed.
"And those stupid third years are suspended right now. So you need to participate." Maki answered.
Nobara's brow rose. "What do you do at this event? Smash Bros.? I won't lose if it's the Wii version. I'll Meteor Smash so you can't comeback."
"Then let's make a 3-man team." Panda declared. "The exchange event has the principals of the Tokyo and Kyoto schools each propose a form of competition to be held for an entire day over the course of two days. Though that's just on paper. Every year, the first day is team battles, and the second day is individual battles."
"Ho? Sounds fun." Itadori said.
"Yes, my brotha!" Todo grinned, punching a fist to his palm. "You get to test everyone's strength."
Inumaki nodded. "Salmon."
"Individual and team battles? We fight?! Against other jujutsu sorcerers?!"
Maki smiled. "Yeah, it's a jujutsu battle where anything but killing goes."
"So we'll train you up well so that you don't end up dead. Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
"Wait, do you have time for that? I thought we were short on jujutsu sorcerers."
"Not in that sense. It's just that there are a lot who are preoccupied with curses during this time of year." Nanami explained.
"That's a good question. For now, we are. The glum emotions people harbor from late winter through spring cause an outburst of curses in the early summer, so thats our busy season."
"Sometimes we're busy all year long," Maki added. "But things should be settling down pretty soon."
"Huh..."
"So, you'll do it, right? You just had a partner die on you, after all..."
"We're in!" Megumi and Nobara chorused.
I...have to get stronger. I'll do anything to achieve that! Both of them had the same thoughts, determined faces.
"Aww," Gojo cooed obnoxiously. "You guys think alike! Are you guys finally bonding?"
"Hell no! We just want to get stronger." Nobara yelled.
"But if I decide this training and exchange is pointless, I'm quitting instantly." Nobara said.
"Same here."
"Hah!"
"Well, people this cocky are all the more worthwhile to train."
"Bonito flakes."
"I'm glad you're working together." Gojo smiled, this time genuine.
"So your saying your boss wants to reverse the current positions of humans and curses. Is that it?" Geto confirmed. Jogo and him were sitting at a table while the others were gone.
"Boss? I wonder who."
"If they aren't revealed that'd cause a lot of trouble."
"Well, roughly. It's slightly different though. Humans are made up of lies. For every positive action and emotion they show, there's always a flip side. Yet negative emotions like hatred and hostility are truths without falsehood. Since we curses are born from those emotions, that makes us, true, pure beings! Limitations should be eliminated."
"So is joy, love, and happiness." Miwa snorted. "Just because you come from something 'pure' doesn't mean you're at the top."
"Yet, at present, you're being eliminated. " Geto retorted.
"That's why we've come to ask you. What can we do to defeat the jujutsu sorcerers?"
Geto opened an eye. "If you fulfill two conditions before going to war, then you can win."
"Can they, sensei?"
Gojo hummed. "It's possible. But they need to get rid of me. Something that is very unlikely to happen."
"They can't even touch you, unless you allow it." Megumi voiced.
Jogo eagerly leaned forward. "And what are those two conditions?"
Geto put up a finger. "The first involves a man known as the strongest jujutsu sorcerer. You have to render Gojo Satoru incapable of fighting. The second is to get Ryomen Sukuna and Itadori Yuji on your side."
"No way that's happening." Itadori folded his arms. "Even if they did get Sukuna on their side, I'm still the one in charge."
Gojo let put a confused noise. "Hold on. He died, didn't he? That Itadori Yuji brat, I mean."
A dark smile crossed Geto's face. "Did he though? I'm not so sure."
"Eh?" Itadori's face filled with surprise. "Is it because of Sukuna?"
"Most likely."
Itadori was lying on the metal table, hole in the chest dried over.
"Bleh." Itadori gagged, seeing his dead body. Though there was some morbid feeling in his gut that made him look anyways.
Sukuna's voice echoed. "Don't look inside me without permission. I hate it...Brat."
The curse was sitting atop his throne of bones, looking down at Itadori. He laughed once.
"He's so lame." Nobara commented, as the screen faded to black. "Probably still in his edgy era."
Mai coughed, soda in hand sloshing. "I thought I'd never hear those words describe the King of Curses that way."
"Edgy era?" Sukuna's eye appeared to watch Nobara. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Nobara snorted, eyes crinkling. "As if I'll tell you old man."
"You brat! Never mind Itadori, you're the first one I'm killing when I get out of this body." He snarled.
"As if I'd let you!" Nobara flipped him off, and shoved a chocolate bar in his mouth. The curse spat it out, blood lust seeping out. He was about to say something but someone beat him to it.
"Quiet down." Mechamaru chided. "I'm tired, and we've been watching these all day."
"That's right." Utahime yawned, standing up. "We need to get some sleep. But after we clean up."
The students groaned, but did as was told.
Two doors engraved itself on differing walls, marked as F and M. Figuring it was their rooms, they made their way through it, saying good night.
"Gojo," Ieiri called, before he entered the room.
"Hmm?"
"Get up early tomorrow, we have much to talk about." She gave him a knowing look, and he nodded.
"Good night."
"Night."
