(II) GOJO SATORU

"Hello? Ina? Ina-chan? Damn that girl hung up on me again." Gojo placed his mobile phone in his pocket and pulled open the sliding door to meet the head of Kyoto Jujutsu High, Gakuganji Yoshinobu. "Principal Yaga won't be coming for a while."

Gojo and Gakuganji's meeting marks a significant confrontation between the two major jujutsu institutions. Gojo, known for his carefree attitude, engages in a heated discussion with Gakuganji, who is concerned about Gojo's unorthodox methods and his influence on the students at Tokyo Jujutsu High. Their meeting is filled with tension and differences in philosophy, reflecting the larger conflict within the jujutsu world.

"I've been under your care, Principal Gakuganji." Gojo crossed his legs as he started the conversation.

"Let's see. What do you mean by that?" The elderly man replied as he stroked his long, white beard with his fingers.

"Don't act dumb, old man. It's about Itadori Yuji. You're involved in it since you are the head of the conservative, right?" Gojo Satoru directed his gaze toward Gakuganji while speaking. Despite the blindfold covering Gojo's eyes, the elderly man could sense the intensity of his stare.

"Dear me." He replied in a rather irritated tone. "Youngsters nowadays can't even speak with respect?"

"I don't intend to respect you from the beginning. Old people nowadays are too arrogant, it's really a pain in the butt." Gojo responded recklessly. Miwa Kasumi, a second year in Kyoto Jujutsu High was present during the meeting and couldn't help to butt in. Unknowingly, she was just as starstrucked seeing the Gojo Satoru in the flesh.

Gojo proceeded, "Last night, I was attacked by two unregistered Special Grade Cursed Spirits."

"Is that so? That's unfortunate"

"Don't be mistaken. To me, it's almost like the usual street interview. Those Cursed Spirits can communicate. They must have comrades of the same level. It's not just our enemies. Hakari, Okkotsu, and your Todo. In recent years, the level of students has also improved by leaps and bounds. Also, we had the Geto Suguru incident last year. And now, the appearance of Sukuna's vessel." Gojo flinched a bit as Geto Suguru's name left his lips.

"What are you trying to say?" Gakuganji was trying to analyze Gojo's intentions.

"Don't you get it? The power you suppressed for lame status and tradition had begun to grow and surge. 'Special Grade' will no longer be the ceiling for the future generation. If you think I'm the only one who will bare my fangs at you, then you're in for a ride, old man."

"You're talking a little too much." The elderly man's demeanor shifted, clearly insulted by Gojo's words. "When you said that you're not the only one, does that mean your girlfriend's on this too?"

"Eh, girlfriend?" Gojo's head cocked on one side as he scratched his head.

"Geto Serina."

As soon as Miwa heard the principal bring up Geto Serina's name, she was suddenly all ears. Are the rumors true? Are they really together? The blue-haired girl contemplated.

"What? Serina? Oh… Did Kyoto Jujutsu High catch on with the rumors already? Ina will be so annoyed if she learns about this!" Gojo laughed out loud.

"Rumors travel fast, Gojo. There's talk of the two of you being more than just colleagues. Some believe you've been secretly plotting to create a revolt within Jujutsu High." Gakuganji added accusingly.

Gojo Satoru's smirk faded, and his expression hardened. The mere mention of Serina in such a context was a low blow. It struck a nerve.

Unyielding towards Gojo's tense demeanor, the old man talked some more to push the strongest sorcerer's button. "I suggest you be more mindful of your actions and your company, Gojo. These allegations are beginning to erode the trust that the higher-ups have in your judgment."

Gojo ignored his remarks. He fully knew this was the principal's way to annoy him. "So frightening. I think I've said everything that I wanted. I should leave now." Gojo walked towards the door but halted. He faced Gakuganji again and spoke with unwavering certainty, both his hands in his pockets. "I will not stand idly by while baseless accusations tarnish Serina's reputation. Those who speak ill of her should tread carefully. I will not hesitate to harm anyone who tries to accuse her negatively in any way. By the way, Principal Yaga will be here in two hours. Bye!" Gojo smiled as he left Gakuganji's dimly lit office.

"That old scum. Talking shit about other people…" Gojo sighed as he left Kyoto Jujutsu High's vicinity. As their conversation ended, Gakuganji's remarks revealed unspoken emotions that lay beneath Gojo's confident exterior. Gojo couldn't help but feel his heart pound with a mix of emotions. He had defended Serina fiercely, not just because she was a friend, but because she held a special place in his heart. The old man's accusation had shaken something deep within him.

One month later, Tokyo Jujutsu High received a gruesome report.

Report: September 2018

Kinema Cinema
Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
After the movie finished, the deformed corpses of three high school boys were found by the theater staff.
Cause of Death: Increase of pressure to the brain and asphyxiation due or cranial deformation.

The first and second year students in Tokyo Jujutsu High were preparing for the Kyoto Goodwill event under Geto Serina's training. Gojo would sometimes visit but he was seldom seen since he was training Itadori himself. Serina understood this and kept his mouth shut from revealing something very private from her students.

Geto Serina had been savoring her morning, relishing the rare opportunity to sleep in. As she basked in the comfort of her cozy bed, she was blissfully aware that there were no teaching duties awaiting her that day. She lay comfortably in her room, curled up under a warm blanket, lost in the tranquility of a rare day off. With a contented sigh, she decided to sleep in just a bit longer. Little did she know that her peaceful respite was about to be disrupted.

As Serina drifted into a blissful slumber, her phone suddenly rang, jolting her awake. She groaned and reached for her phone on the bedside table, still half-asleep.

"Who's calling me at this hour?" Serina mumbled as she covered her head with her soft blanket. She glanced at the caller ID, and it was none other than Gojo Satoru, the most insufferable person to deal with early in the morning.

Serina reluctantly answered the call, and removed the blanket from her head. "What does he want now?"

"Morning, Ina-chan! I hope I didn't wake you up too early!" Gojo's cheerful voice rang loudly on the other end of the line.

"You did, Gojo. It's my day off, you know." Serina responded annoyingly.

Gojo Satoru ignored her complaint. "Well, I've got something interesting for you. Would you want to join Nanami and Itadori at Kinema Cinema? I need you to observe and assist."

Serina's voice suddenly changed after hearing Nanami's name. However, her laziness this morning caused her to protest. "Gojo, I don't have any class today. Can't you handle it on your own? Don't even think of using Kento as bait."

The white-haired sorcerer playfully forced her to join in. "Come on, Serina. It'll be fun. Don't you want to see Nanami today? It's been a while since you saw each other, right? Besides, they could use your expertise."

Serina sighed and used this rare opportunity to see Nanami as motivation to get her ass out of bed. "Fine, fine…"

Their conversation quickly descended into bickering, a usual occurrence whenever they interacted. But deep down, Serina knew that she couldn't refuse when Gojo asked for her help. She might grumble and complain, but she had a soft spot for her friends and a strong sense of duty.

As she ended the call, an unfamiliar emotion washed over Gojo. He couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that had settled in his chest ever since his talk with Gakuganji. Gojo concluded that his irritation stemmed solely from his concern for Serina, and no other reason, especially since she seemed to have her own interest in Nanami. And so, he prepared for the upcoming mission, all the while trying to keep his emotions in check and focusing on the task at hand.

Nanami Kento and Itadori Yuji had already visited the crime scene prior to that day. Since Gojo wanted Itadori to have more experience exorcising curses, he invited two well-known sorcerers as his mentors.

"I can't take you there this time." Gojo was explaining to Itadori what would happen on his mission that day. "But don't worry. I've contacted trustworthy juniors. "This is Nanami Kento, a Jujutsu Sorcerer who quit office work!"

"Please stop that." Nanami replied with a serious look on his face.

"There are many strange Jujutsu Sorcerers, but he used to work in an office, so he's reliable." Gojo added, his arms wrapped around Nanami. "And he's a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer."

"I don't think others want to hear that from you." Nanami kept a poker look on his face.

Sunglasses. There are so many people covering their eyes. Itadori Yuji wondered. "Gojo-sensei, you mentioned 'trustworthy juniors' a while ago. Are we still expecting somebody else?" Sukuna's vessel thought out loud.

"About that… Yes, we're waiting for someone special today. I kinda gave her a late notice so she's probably running late." Gojo grinned.

"Who else did you call for?" Nanami asked while fixing his glasses.

"Wait for it!" Gojo teases Nanami.

As they chatted, the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching caught their attention. Turning their heads, they were met with the sight of a striking woman in a black full zip jacket and midnight blue leggings, her black hair tied in a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Delicate strands of her long fringe escape from the bun, gracefully framing her face.

A female. Itadori thought. "Is that her, Gojo-sensei?" He couldn't help but ask in awe.

Before Gojo could respond, Serina appeared before them, her presence leaving the trio in a momentary stunned silence.

Gojo couldn't help but break the silence with a cheeky grin. "Ina-chan, fashionably late as always."

Serina shot an irritated side-eye glance at Gojo as she walked toward them. "I wouldn't be late if I was informed in advance." The ravenette saw Nanami and waved at him enthusiastically. Her mood drastically changes as soon as he sees the blonde-haired guy.

"Kento-kun!" Serina embraced one of Nanami's arms in a hug. Nanami, the ever-stoic and composed sorcerer, didn't flinch. He had grown accustomed to Serina's exuberance and was comfortable with her presence knowing her for so long. Instead of returning the hug, Nanami, with a faint smile, patted Serina's shoulder. For him, it was a gesture that held more meaning to any words or actions conveyed.

Just a few steps away, Itadori Yuji stood, wide-eyed and stunned. He perceived Nanami as a strict, no-nonsense sorcerer, and seeing him show fondness to Serina with such ease was nothing short of a shock.

"Ina, it's good to see you." Nanami said in his usual composed manner. Serina took her hands off Nanami's arm, aware that his friend would feel uncomfortable if she held it for too long.

Gojo Satoru finally introduced Serina to his student. "Itadori, this is Geto Serina. One of my most trusted juniors. She went to Tokyo Jujustu High with Nanami right here so she sure will be an advantage for you guys."

Serina walked towards Itadori and examined him closely. She poked his arms, his chest and then pinched his cheeks. Serina's unexpected touch took Itadori by surprise. He stared at her amethyst eyes, she didn't look intimidating at all. If anything, she seemed really curious.

"This is Sukuna's vessel?" Serina pointed her finger at Itadori and slightly ran it from his shoulders down to his arm. "Hmmm, not bad!" She grinned. Itadori wore a shocked expression as he sensed the touch of Serina's fingers against his skin, even though he was fully clothed in his uniform.

"HEYYYYYY!" Both Nanami and Gojo exclaimed.

"Ina-chan, please don't harass the poor boy." Gojo said, slightly tapping Serina's hand away. "You might even awaken Sukuna at this point."

"I was not harassing him! I was curious, that's all! I wanted to see for myself how he's able to contain Sukuna inside him. He seemed physically strong. And I can feel his stable, cursed energy."

"That's because I taught him how." Gojo confidently said as he raised his hand waiting to be acknowledged. Serina smirked and ignored him, as usual.