"Long time, no see, eh, Satoru?"
Satoru Gojo awoke to see his long deceased best friend, Suguru Geto standing only a couple feet away with a bright smile plastered on his face as he waved. Annoyed, Gojo sat forward, pouting childishly before speaking…
"Please tell me this is all some ridiculous dream, because if not, then this really does suck. I always told my students that when you die, you'll be all alone."
Geto chuckled softly
"So that's your response to seeing me, after all this time? Pretty rude."
As the two sat in silence, Gojo took a moment to take in his surroundings. They were in what appeared to be an airport, a vacant one at that.
"So, how was your fight with the king of curses?"
The sudden question took Gojo's mind away from the irritation of his own demise. Now staring up at the ceiling above, a thoughtful expression crossed his face. There was a short pause as Gojo leaned forward, looking down at his clenched fist before replying…
"He was strong alright. Insanely friggin' strong. He wasn't even giving it all he had. Honestly, even if he weren't using Megumi's ten shadows technique, I don't think I would've won…"
Geto's eyes widened momentarily at the sincerity of Gojo's words
"I'm shocked. I didn't think anyone could make you admit something like that." Geto replied
Gojo continued
"I'm no stranger to feeling Isolated. There was always a large gap between me and other people, even if they adored me. After all, you can admire a blooming flower, but you can't exactly ask it to understand you."
Geto remained quiet, his thoughts drifting back to his days spent alongside Gojo and the others at Jujutsu high. It didn't really have to be stated, just how large the power gap was between ordinary sorcerers, and the one and only Satoru Gojo…
"I put everything I had into that fight. I wanted to reach Sukuna. To make him understand… all my physical training. All the techniques I mastered. My explosiveness. My quick thinking. My amazing humor. I gave it my all, but… it wasn't enough."
Despite the circumstances, there was an ever-present smile etched onto Gojo's face as he recounted his final battle against Ryomen Sukuna. A mixture of acceptance and a lingering spark of faith that even in his death, someone stronger would carry on the fight.
Geto smiled before speaking
"Well… consider me jealous. You at least had the satisfaction of going out with a bang."
Gojo's smile faded ever so slightly
"A bang, huh? Well, it would've been. I guess my only disappointment…"
Gojo turned to face Geto as he continued
"...is that you weren't there to give me a slap on the back."
Peering down at the floor below, Geto laughed, although there was a subtle twinge of sadness to his laughter. Being a buzzkill was something that Satoru Gojo left to now defunct higher ups of Jujutsu high. Deciding to change the subject, he let out an exasperated sigh
"Still though, I can't say it was all bad. I mean you're right. At least got to go out fighting someone Uber strong. I didn't die to something utterly boring like old age…"
Gojo exclaimed, looking over his shoulder at Suguru
"What the hell are you, some type of samurai or something?" A familiar voice called out
"Huuuh?!"
A confused Gojo leaned back in his seat, meeting the gazes of none other than Kento Nanami, and Yu Haibara. The two took seats behind both Gojo and Geto as the former began poking and prodding at Nanami…
"I remember at one point, asking Geto why we didn't just leave everything up to you. After all, you never cared about keeping sorcery going, or protecting people for that matter…"
Though Gojo wouldn't admit it out loud, Nanami's words irked him
"...You were just in the game because you got a kick out of it." Nanami finished
There was an element of truth behind Nanami's otherwise matter-of-fact statement…
"Don't worry Gojo, we all thought that about you! we just couldn't bring ourselves to say it out loud!" Haibara shouted with his fist pumped, full of determination
Gojo grit his teeth, slightly annoyed, whilst Geto laughed at his expense. The deadpanned expression Nanami sent to Haibara caused him to clasp both hands together in a slight bow
"Soooory~" Haibara apologized in an exaggerated, yet playful tone
Nanami sighed before continuing
"I can't really sit here and say I approve, but I can sympathize. It was a fitting way for you of all people to go out…"
Tired of feeling pitied, Gojo replied
"Yeah, yeah… thanks. And just how do you feel about your demise?" Gojo asked
Nanami simply smiled
"As final moments go. It wasn't all that bad actually. For that, I'm grateful to Haibara here…"
Haibara's face flushed from the praise
"You're too kind." He replied
Nodding, Nanami continued
"You're not used to being on the losing side of things, so you're probably confused about what comes next, right?" Nanami asked
Indeed. For as long as he lived, Satoru Gojo had only come close to death one time throughout his entire life. This was a first for him…
"If you'd like to return to who you were, go south. If you'd like to become someone new, go north."
Gojo perked up at the words that left Nanami's mouth. Seeing that he'd gotten his former colleague's attention, Nanami decided to elaborate
"It's just something Mei told me once. Back then, I never hesitated on moving south. It was always the safer option. I've always been someone who loved looking to the past. So it's ironic that when I died, I put all my faith in the future…" He explained
"I see." Gojo replied
Gojo smiled, the faces of those he proudly called his students flashing throughout his mind. He'd have loved to be there to watch them grow into powerful, and capable sorcerers.
"Hmm?"
Gojo then noticed someone standing a few feet ahead of him and the others. Once he realized who it was, he shouted…
"HEY, SENSEEEEEI! I THOUGHT YA' SAID NO JUJUTSU SORCERER DIES WITHOUT REGRETS!"
Masamichi Yaga grimaced in annoyance as Gojo's voice echoed throughout the ethereal space. Even in death, his former student still found a way to cause such a ruckus. Gojo smiled brightly as he laughed. Once more, Satoru Gojo found himself taking in his surroundings. Those he'd lost began appearing around the terminal. All those who had a hand in shaping him as a person, both good and bad alike…
Suguru Geto
Kento Nanami, and Haibara Yu
Amanai Riko, and Kuroi Misato
Even Fushiguro Toji was here…
"You know… now I'm hoping this isn't a dream." Gojo muttered to himself
~ Ding ~
The sudden sound echoed throughout the terminal. When Gojo looked up, the friends that had surrounded him only moments ago were now gone. He then looked forward, where his eyes focused on the jetway entrance in front of him…
"Are you the strongest because you're Satoru Gojo? Or are you Satoru Gojo because you're the strongest?"
Gojo's breath hitched for a brief moment as he took one hesitant step forward…
"Applying reasoning and responsibility to Jujutsu is what weak people do."
And then another step forward…
"Winning by dying, and winning even if you die, are two completely different things…"
and another…
"If you'd like to become someone new, go north."
Satoru Gojo now stood only a step away from what many could only describe as "The great beyond." Cautiously, he continued on. The faces of those he cared for flashed before his eyes—students, friends, colleagues, even enemies. The laughter, the pain, the camaraderie. It was like a kaleidoscope of memories. It was almost as if he'd been affected by his own domain…
"To become, someone new…" Gojo muttered to himself
DECEMBER 24TH, 2018 AT 4:52 P.M.
Satoru Gojo would lose his life at the hands of Ryomen Sukuna…
"The hell...?" Gojo muttered
His journey into the unknown was cut short as he could feel a sinister aura beginning to permeate the space around him. His surroundings began to change as well. The white void in which he stood just seconds prior started to shift and contort. The air, once weightless and neutral, now carried an unsettling weight, thick with an otherworldly essence that prickled the skin. The first thing to catch the sorcerer's eyes was the shattered moon that illuminated the blood-red sky…
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Gojo turned his attention in the direction of the unfamiliar voice, finding himself facing a figure shrouded in darkness. The silhouette gradually took form, revealing a woman with an air of malevolence. Her features were sharp, her crimson eyes glowing with intensity as she stepped towards the deceased sorcerer. Despite the chill running down his spine, Gojo kept his calm and collected demeanor as he spoke.
"Beautiful? You're kidding, right? This place is depressing as hell. Now, just who or what are you exactly? a cursed spirit, a sorcerer? Either way, trust me when I say this isn't a fight you want lady." Gojo warned
The woman placed a hand over her mouth, stifling a soft yet sinister laugh before replying
"A cursed spirit? Oh child, I'm something far worse. Though, I supposed you could call me a sorceress. As for my name, please…call me Salem."
Gojo smirked
"A Sorceress huh? That's funny, because I don't sense even the smallest amount of cursed energy emanating from you. Even so, something deep in my soul is telling me to wipe you out entirely…" Gojo stated
Salem smiled as violent winds started to blow in from every direction, converging around Satoru Gojo. Clasping his hands together, Gojo began chanting…
"Cursed Technique Amplification: Blue."
For a split second, Salem's confident demeanor faltered as an indescribably powerful force seemed to pull her a few inches towards Gojo as he continued…
"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red."
In the same instance, it felt as though she was being forcefully pushed away. Sparks of purple lightning crackled around the pair before a small purple sphere formed in Gojo's outstretched hand…
"I can't say it's been nice knowing you and all, so just do us both a favor and disappear… Imaginary Technique: Hollow Purple."
Salem's eyes widened at the sheer power of the technique as Gojo fired it at her direction, growing massive in size as it barreled towards her. The land of darkness was illuminated in a dazzling display of violet brilliance as Hollow Purple consumed everything in its path, including its intended target. However, Gojo missed the faint smile plastered on Salem's face right before the technique enveloped her.
"Something far worse, yeah, sure. Hmm?"
Gojo scratched the back of his head as he assessed the damage. The aftermath of his attack left a massive crater that spanned for miles…
"Maybe I went a tad bit too far?" He asked
Then it hit him
"Cursed spirit or Sorceress, this place should have disappeared the second she died, yeah? So what gives?" He thought
Gojo's eyes then widened as he turned around, shocked to see Salem standing there, seemingly unscathed. Sensing a small tinge of fear from Gojo, Salem laughed
"I must say, for a second there, I actually thought I was going to die. However, it seems my hypothesis was correct. This power you call "Cursed Energy" has left me feeling quit, well… energized, for lack of a better word." Salem explained
His instincts proved correct, this woman, this thing, wasn't something he could take lightly. There must be an explanation for all of this, he thought. Was he truly dead? Was that the reason Hollow Purple proved ineffective? Or maybe…
"hehe… okay then. Color me impressed. You're the only person I've seen able to withstand Hollow Purple and walk away alive." Gojo explained
Salem smirked, as next to her, an Ink-like substance began to form. This substance then took the form of a bipedal wolf with glowing red pupils, much like its master. Kneeling down, Salem began petting at the beast as if it were some domesticated house pet. Gojo couldn't help but draw parallels between what he was seeing, and his student, Megumi Fushiguro's, cursed technique
"Don't worry~ Mommy's okay, and she's got a treat for her special boy…" Salem cooed
Gojo stumbled back a few paces, utterly shocked as Salem began transmitting an insane amount of what appeared to be his own cursed energy, channeling it into the beowolf beside her. Standing back up, Salem watched with a wicked smile as the beowolf began to twitch and convulse on the ground, tripling in size as it did so…
"W-What the hell did you just do?!" Gojo shouted
He'd receive absolutely nothing in the way of an answer as Salem simply stood there looking on like a proud mother as the monstrosity finally reached its final evolution. A tear ran down the woman's face as she finally spoke
"The people of the world you will soon inhabit, unaffectionately call these creatures, my children… Grimm." Salem explained
The beowolf, who just a few minutes ago, was only half the size of its "mother" now stood at a staggering twenty feet. It peered down at Gojo. It's once crimson eyes now purple color. Saliva dripped from its maw, and the bones that protruded from its body back had grown much more jagged.
"Grimm. Creatures with the innate ability to hunt down Humans and Faunus alike based on negative emotions. It's a useful ability, and yet, my children are still slain by the thousands…"
Salem then turned to Gojo
"I searched tirelessly, over multiple lifetimes for something, or rather, someone to help me bend this world to my will—
Satoru Gojo had heard enough. Before the sorceress could finish her sentence, Gojo had seemingly disappeared. reappearing only a few inches away from the woman, poised to strike. However, before his fist could make contact with the woman's face…
"Shit!" Gojo Cursed as he narrowly avoided being struck by a beam of cursed energy courtesy of the newly upgraded Beowolf
"Careful. He bites." Salem remarked with a grin
Gojo scoffed. Just then, the land around the two started to fade back into the white void. Seeing this, Salem sighed. As much as she would have loved to play around with the sorcerer…
"It looks like we'll have to cut our little play date short. I do hope you'll enjoy your new life, Satoru Gojo. Something tells me I'll be seeing you soon enough."
It seemed like every question he asked only led to further questions. Unfortunately, any attempts at having these questions answered was cut short as Satoru Gojo could feel himself losing consciousness…
"W-Wait! We're not… done… here." Gojo's voice began to trail off as his knees buckled as he collapsed to the ground. The transition between realms once again enveloped him, but this time, it was as though… he were falling…
ATLAS - SCHNEE FAMILY ESTATE - DECEMBER 7TH, 2074 AT 11:11 P.M.
"Just one more push Mrs Schnee!" The midwife shouted
Willow Schnee gripped at her mattress, sweat pouring down her face as she followed the nurses instructions. Despite this only being her second pregnancy, the pain was intense…
"Wh-Where is… Where is Jacques?!" Willow shouted in between breaths as she pushed once more
The midwife frowned, before answering
"H-He's… in a meeting, Mrs. Schnee."
There was a brief pause as Willow took in the news that once again, her husband would rather attend a business meeting, than the birth of his own child. Gritting her teeth, her face contorted in pain as she let out a scream. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she exerted every ounce of strength into one final push.
"Come on ma'am, you're almost there! One more big push!" The midwife encouraged
Willow fell back onto her pillow, panting heavily as the room fell silent. The lack of crying worried the woman. However, her fears would be put to bed as the midwife stood up with a smile on her face…
"Congratulations, ma'am."
Reaching out, Willow took the infant into her arms, smiling as she peered down at the new life she had just bought into the world…
"He's perfect…" Willow stated
The newborn squinted before slowly opening its eyes…
SATORU GOJO IS REBORN