[This chapter is more slice-of-life until around the end. Jujutsu Kaisen Manga spoilers ahead.]
December 24th 2000:
A multitude of numberless shadows infested the rotten and sequestered alleyways inside of the Hidden-Leaf village. Particles of untold snowflakes drifted down from the heavens and upon the nation.
Ryomen Sukuna walked throughout these alleyways in his village in a disinterested gait, boredom bleeding into his entire posture. Hands tucked into his pockets, he kicked at the blankets of snow around him.
Starlight bled down from the abyss of the night-sky, brightening his acute vision and letting him witness the purity of the weather. Teeth clicked together in annoyance at the light, Sukuna stepped forward.
Midnight had claimed its territory over Konohagakure. Hidden in the darkness of its ginnels, Sukuna found himself on a meaningless walk. Tomorrow on December the twenty-fifth was to be an event of joy.
The Rinne-Festival was an event held every year in December. From what Sukuna had heard and seen, it was this universe's equivalent of Christmas—where people exchanged gifts and revelled in the excitement.
Shoulders slumped in even more boredom, Sukuna ventured deeper into the village's many alleyways.
Shoes crunching against the layers of snow on the surface beneath them, Sukuna relished in the overall silence and cold atmosphere in the isolated area. He exited an alleyway, ending up on a random street.
At some points in time, Sukuna would see imperceptible distortions of unadulterated speed jump across the roof-tops of the village. Some villagers were out and about at this late time, minding their business.
A few mild decorations had been set up by the townsfolk in advance for this revered Rinne-Festival. Sukuna meandered into an open shop, purchasing himself a cold bottle of water alongside a late-night snack.
Having entered the park in the middle of the enormous village, Sukuna unwrapped his sandwich and devoured it in ten bites. Uncapping his bottle, he took multiple sips from it and wiped his mouth in satisfaction.
Binning the remains of his two latest purchases, Sukuna rolled his shoulders to throw off the blocks of snow gathered on them. Scowling to himself, he grunted in frustration. "Man, this weather is so shit…"
(-)
December 25th 2000:
It was 10: 30—PM at the moment. Sukuna had entered a park different from the one he had visited last night—more closer to his place of residence. In his calloused hands was a fantasy-based novel.
More and more villagers and Shinobi had readied themselves and their neighbourhoods for the Rinne-Festival. Sukuna, however, had no intentions of attending the festival himself out of a lack of any interest.
Instead, he would remain in the comfort of his humble abode and drink some hot chocolate to keep himself warm and refreshed. Reading the novel in his hands, Sukuna slumped into the bench he was seated on.
This session of avid relaxation was then interrupted by the sound of casual and somewhat languid foot-steps. A pair of black eyes gazed down at Sukuna. Sasuke Uchiha smirked at him, face amicable.
"What the hell do you want?" Sukuna was flippant in his attitude. "Most of the time I find you cooped up in that depressing home of yours."
One gloved hand slipped into his pockets, Sasuke replied. "I'm looking for that blond dumbass so we can practise our Taijutsu together later."
"You're looking for Naruto, huh?" Sukuna closed his book. "He told me earlier that he'd be visiting the old man in the Hokage-Tower."
Realisation graced Sasuke's voice. "That's where the moron is? Also, do you have any plans of going to that festival at all?"
Sticking his tongue out in annoyance, Sukuna said. "That stupid Rinne-Festival? Why the hell would I be going to that of all things?"
Unbothered, Sasuke shrugged. "I heard everyone else in class is planning to attend it together. Of course, I'm not going either."
"Alright, that's good for you." Sukuna snorted, opening up his novel once more. "I recommend you head over to the Hokage-Tower."
"The moron better still be there." Sasuke groused to himself, turning around and disappearing into the bushes. "I'll see you around, then."
(-)
Sukuna had retreated off into the secluded forest he frequented to train his unnatural abilities and physical prowess. Cleave had been activated on a tree and had exploded it into numerous shards of wood.
The control Sukuna had over Cleave and Dismantle had grown much more refined in the last few days. Flexing the muscles in his arms, Sukuna imbued cursed-energy from his elbow down to his knuckles.
Burying a multitude of strikes into the centre of an ancient oak-tree, Sukuna splintered it into nothing more than a rotten pile of wood. Sukuna paused in his training, deactivating his cursed-energy.
Some small amount of concealed pride decorated Sukuna's tattooed features. His basic utilisation of cursed-energy had improved by leaps and bounds. He was close to mastering the Divergent-Fist he hoped.
Sukuna stared at his clenched fist. "I can't become too confident in myself and my abilities otherwise I'll stagnate and become weaker…"
Turning around to return to his residence, Sukuna slid his hands into his pockets and then stopped at the sound of two jubilant bellows. Cursed-energy flowed into Sukuna's vision to increase its quality.
He peered deeper into the woods, noticing Rock-Lee and Might-Gai in the distance embraced in one of their most youthful of hugs like usual. Amusement flooded Sukuna's mind at the bizarre sight in the woods.
"Those two youthful bastards are such a breath of fresh air."
Reaching his home after his short detour of observing Lee and Gai for a few short moments, Sukuna kicked off his shoes before walking into his bed-room. Settled onto his mattress, Sukuna closed his four eyes.
Several hours had passed since then. Sukuna had remained in the comfort of his inexpensive bed. Although, once another hour passed, he was awoken by the soft bags originating from his home's entrance.
Confusion and annoyance mixed into one as Sukuna groaned aloud. Having rolled off of his bed and having crashed into the carpeted surface of his room, Sukuna rubbed his four eyes to disperse the gunk in them.
"Who the fuck is banging on my damn door?" The time was 2: 14—AM. Sukuna groaned for a second time. "I'm still tired…"
Sukuna stepped down the corridor of his apartment, footfalls unhurried and somewhat frustrated. Opening the door, Sukuna was met by the wrinkled visage of the leader of the village. "Why is he visiting me?"
The Third-Hokage had the demeanour of a respectable and humble man. Mouth morphed into an amiable smile, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke. "Sukuna, I do hope I'm not interrupting you at all at this late hour."
Snorting, Sukuna answered. "It's two in the morning, you senile geezer. Can't you visit me when I'm not trying to get some sleep?"
Hiruzen chuckled at the reincarnated child. "My apologies for waking you up to meet me at the door. I was just checking up on you."
An unimpressed blink from his four vermillion eyes was Sukuna's response. "Checking up on me at two in the morning? Really?"
"I just wanted to invite you out to the Rinne-Festival tonight." Hiruzen said, smile light-hearted and kind. "You do tend to isolate yourself."
The official time the Rinne-Festival started was midnight. Sukuna had only missed two hours worth of enjoyment from the real festival. Hiruzen intended to make sure Sukuna had a fun time at the event.
Hand raised in fatigue, Sukuna said. "I ain't interested in the festival. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to head back to my room to sleep."
"I'm afraid I must insist you accompany me, Sukuna." Hiruzen replied. "Naruto and Sasuke are also out and about enjoying the festival."
"I thought Sasuke told me wasn't going." Sukuna scratched his head, tired and irate. "Whatever, I'll go if you get the hell off my door-step."
"My pleasure." Hiruzen stepped away from the entrance to Sukuna's home, evaporating in a plume of smoke. "I expect to see you around."
Eye-brow raised in mild fascination, Sukuna mused. "A Shadow-Clone? Wonder if I can develop a duplication ability later on."
Shutting his door, Sukuna returned to his room, changed into a more suitable outfit, adjusted the fingerless gloves on his hand, left his home, and then descended upon the local streets of the village.
Snow fluttered downwards onto Sukuna's shoulders. Every breath he took came out in the form of a visible mass of pure oxygen. Sukuna glanced at the different merchant stands lined across these streets.
Despite the late hour, many parents and children were out on the paths of Konoha to rejoice in their time at the Rinne-Festival. Sukuna sighed, another visible mass of oxygen escaping his opened mouth.
One of the stands Sukuna encountered on his journey sold hot-dogs at a discounted price because of the festival. Buying one, Sukuna indulged himself and ate in multiple bites. The food was good at least.
A great number of people had also bought sky-lanterns to later let loose into the night-sky once the festival reached its climax. Sukuna stayed seeped in boredom until he ran into his two only friends.
Naruto Uzumaki had somehow procured himself a bowl of Ramen, a stream of noodles buried into his mouth. Sasuke had his shoulders slouched, sipping a cup of what Sukuna assumed was fresh tea.
Index finger pointed at Sukuna in mockery, Naruto shouted. "Who do we have here, Sasuke?! A wild Sukuna prowling around the village!"
"Shut that stupid mouth of yours, would you?" Sukuna's posture was unimpressed and exhausted. "Your voice is making my ears bleed."
In retaliation, Naruto lowered his finger and responded. "And your tattoo-covered face makes me wanna wash my eyes every time!"
"Enough from the two of you." Rolling his black eyes, Sasuke scoffed. "Your stupid arguments make me want to move damn villages."
"My quality of life would increase if you moved." Naruto slurped his Ramen down his throat. "Where the heck have you been, Sukuna?"
Hands inserted into his pockets, Sukuna grunted. "The stupid geezer wouldn't leave me alone until I got out to attend this festival."
"Also." Sukuna directed a glance at Sasuke, somewhat confused. "Didn't you tell me you weren't planning on going to it, either?"
"The Third-Hokage somehow convinced me to come." Sasuke shrugged at the crimson-eyed child. "I was also kind of bored."
Sipping some more of the tea in his cup, Sasuke then said. "I found Naruto trying to steal some art supplies from one of the closed stores."
Naruto had discarded his bowl of Ramen somewhere and yelled. "Don't believe this lying bastard! I stopped a thief from stealing them!"
Red eyes glinting in unconcealed amusement, Sukuna scoffed. "Sure you did, you moron. You two got recommendations of what to do?"
"Nah." Naruto shook his head, broth staining his lips a little. "I'm only at this damn festival because Ichiraku-Ramen was having a discount."
(-)
Shikamaru Nara had his gloved hands nestled into his pockets. Accompanied by Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, and his father, he found himself at the Rinne-Festival at a time he would be asleep.
Shikaku Nara shared the same sentiments as his son—but he felt that this was one of the few moments where they could bond. Choji munched on a packet of crisps. "Hey, what do you two wanna do?"
"Sleep." Shikamaru suppressed the avid urge to yawn in unadulterated exhaustion. "It's like, what, two in the damn morning?"
Ino was less unenthusiastic than her classmate. "You're such a lazy imbecile sometimes, Shikamaru! This is the Rinne-Festival, come on!"
Not understanding Ino's restless excitement at the festival, Shikamaru shrugged at her while she shook her head at him in disbelief. Shikaku chortled a little at their antics before they walked down the streets.
Shikamaru, despite his outward demeanour, was feeling festive and appreciated the dedication everyone had towards this festival. Ahead from where the four of them stood, a vicious gale of wind exploded.
Ino and Choji lost their footing for the briefest of seconds from the unanticipated burst of wind-natured chakra. Shikamaru blinked, incredulous at the three individuals flying across the sky above them.
Naruto—the class clown and central trouble-maker—had his hands joined together in an amateurish hand-sign. Sukuna—the secretive one—had his arms crossed. Sasuke—the stoic kid—had an unimpressed face.
"Is that Sasuke?!" Ino, from what Shikamaru had been expecting, focused on one of those three in particular. "Why is he up there?!"
Unseen by Shikamaru and his friends, Shikaku cupped his chin in fascination. "Lord Hokage did give Naruto those wind Jutsu scrolls."
Choji was less shocked by them and more mad at the packet of crisps on the snow-covered surface. "Those three owe me some crisps…"
(-)
Naruto flailed his arms around mid-air. Sasuke maintained his unimpressed demeanour. Sukuna was feeling some excitement. The three of them sailed across the boundless skies of the huge village.
"Tell me, you blond dumbass." Sasuke spoke, voice bland and monotonous. "Why did you use an unpractised wind-style Jutsu?"
Arms flailing around even more in the air, Naruto shouted in response. "Shut the hell up! I wasn't expecting to be flung up into the clouds!"
"What are you two complaining about?!" Sukuna's laughter increased in volume. "I haven't had this much fun in a while! Good job, Naruto!"
Once five minutes had passed, the three of them were able to position themselves onto their feet onto a random roof-top in the middle of the village. Naruto scratched his hair, overseeing each area around them.
Sukuna rolled his stiffened shoulders, blinking his four red eyes in humour at what had happened moments ago. Sasuke cracked his neck, rubbing his sore muscles and his forehead in a little annoyance.
Rubbing his forehead for a second time, Sasuke said. "How about we head to the Uchiha-Compound and use its training-grounds to train?"
"What else would you use a training-ground for?" Naruto snorted—but nodded and grinned. "Sure! I could use some more Taijutsu practise!"
"Fine by me." Sukuna rolled one of his shoulders this time to alleviate its tension. "I've had enough of this damn festival for the time being."
(-)
It was 3: 32—AM. Sukuna had decided to let Naruto and Sasuke spar against each other first to see how much they had improved. Palm propped on his cheek, Sukuna sat on the grass of the small sector.
Using his impressive reflexes and speed, Sasuke blocked off a multitude of ruthless strikes from Naruto. In response, Naruto created some distance, pulled his arm back, and vanished in a burst of speed.
Obsidian eyes squinted in deep concentration, Sasuke grunted at the touch of Naruto's knuckles on his right cheek. Head snapping backwards, Sasuke jabbed his fore-arm straight into Naruto's nose.
They both stumbled away from the other, a reasonable amount of blood and grime coated over their faces. Naruto clenched his fists—but was stopped as Sasuke roundhouse kicked him on the hip.
Sukuna interrupted their small battle, walking up to them and grousing. "I think it's best if we declare this one a draw, alright?"
Touching his nose in meagre pain, Naruto grunted. "I'll beat the shit out of you next time we fight, Sasuke! Mark my words, you bastard!"
"Sure." Sasuke tilted his head, mouth twisted into a heated smirk. "Though, you should count yourself lucky I was holding myself back."
Sneering at the Uchiha in frustration, Naruto responded. "Keep lying to yourself about that! I was the one holding themselves back, not you!"
"This is fun and all to watch." Sukuna interrupted their argument. "But I think the three of us should head back to the village around now."
"Whatever." Arms folded, Naruto approached the entrance to the area. "Remember, Sukuna! Next time, I'm fighting and beating your ass up!"
Amused, Sukuna said. "You're welcome to try and beat me next time we fight. Make sure you don't cry when I beat the shit out of you."
(-)
After Naruto and Sasuke had cleaned up and plastered their faces, the trio of infamy returned to the central section of the village. Sukuna noticed a number of people had gathered sky-lanterns in their hands.
Flipping downwards from his perch on a guardrail of an unoccupied apartment-complex, Naruto landed next to Sukuna and Sasuke. Blue eyes sweeping the sector, Naruto folded his arms behind his head.
"What the heck do you two wanna do now?" Naruto yawned, voice somewhat tired. "I think I'm gonna head home later in an hour."
Sukuna glanced at his blond-haired friend, nodding in agreement. "Same. Only reason why I ain't at home is that senile old geezer."
It was 4: 15—AM at the moment. Sasuke relaxed his posture, content on listening to the conversation Sukuna and Naruto were having. They were then approached by a familiar individual, who smiled at them.
"Ah, Sukuna, Naruto, and Sasuke." Hiruzen had his Hokage hat planted on his head this time. "I was looking for the three of you."
"I'd rather you didn't look for me at all." Sukuna scowled, ignoring how Naruto elbowed his shoulder in annoyance. "What the hell is it now?"
Wrinkled lips maintaining the same smile on his aged face, Hiruzen said. "Nothing much, Sukuna. It's about time for the lanterns."
In the next second, Hiruzen had disappeared in a blur of speed. Sukuna sighed in boredom while Naruto and Sasuke focused on what was above them. A minute passed, then they heard a loud bell chime.
The obsidian void of the night-sky was illuminated by glows of light from the different types of lanterns released into the cold air. Naruto's blue eyes reflected his excitement. Sasuke's smile was rather content.
Sukuna's tattooed face remained impassive from the joy of the festivities—but he smirked in appreciation for a fast second. This Rinne-Festival had been a fun, chaotic, random, and insane one.
(-)
February 10th 2001:
It had been two months since the Rinne-Festival. Sukuna had secluded himself in the forest after his usual lessons at the academy. Cursed-energy gathered around his fist and enhanced its strength.
In the last two months, Sukuna had mastered the Divergent-Fist and had refined his manipulation of cursed-energy to a suitable level. Punching a tree into nothing, Sukuna smirked to himself in pride.
A somewhat immature thought manifested in Sukuna's mind. Performing a shadow-graphic hand-sign from the Ten-Shadows Cursed-Technique, Sukuna flared some of his cursed-energy.
The shadows beneath Sukuna twisted from this sudden action. Bubbling out from these shadows, an obsidian-furred wolf and white-furred wolf barked at Sukuna and stared at him in curiosity.
Sukuna returned their gaze in shock and disbelief. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me. How the hell do I have the Ten-Shadows, huh?"
Paying a good amount of attention to the wolves, Sukuna patted them both on the heads while multiple thoughts filled his head. Melting into the shadows, the two Divine-Dogs then faded away into nothing.
How had he summoned the wolves from the Ten-Shadows Cursed-Technique? He had been reincarnated into Yuji Itadori when his body was being possessed by Sukuna. Sukuna was confused.
Why were Megumi Fushiguro's abilities accessible to him though? From what he remembered from his old life, Sukuna had taken over Megumi's abilities at some point in the Jujutsu-Kaisen manga.
Sukuna's mouth then widened itself into an insane grin. Mahoraga was available to him if he conquered the adaptation-based Shikigami. This changed everything for Sukuna. His hands slid into his pockets.
"I can't wait to graduate and become a Shinobi." Sukuna chuckled to himself, excited. "I'm gonna have so much fun out there in this world."
Vacating the area he was in, Sukuna trekked over to the spot where Lee would train and saw him in the distance. A Konoha-specialised head-band was wrapped around his sweat-coated forehead this time.
Having heard Sukuna's blatant foot-steps, Lee turned to the reincarnated child and lowered his leg. Lee raised his hand at his friend in elation. "Sukuna, my youthful companion! How are you?"
"I'm doing pretty good." The acquisition of the Ten-Shadows had improved Sukuna's overall mood. "How's being a Shinobi for you?"
Lee had graduated and had become a Ninja a month ago. The teammates he had been assigned were Neji Hyuga and Ten-Ten. Hiruzen had given Gai the task of mentoring this squad of three.
Thumb lifted at Sukuna, Lee declared. "The life of a Shinobi has been treating me well, Sukuna! My comrades and I have already bonded!"
"Bonded over your youthful tendencies?" Sukuna was amused. "I'm in the mood for a spar, you punk. So how about the two of us fight?"
Upon his declaration of having a battle, Sukuna twisted himself to the right as Lee launched himself in his direction. Sukuna raised his fore-arms, fending off an onslaught of focused punches from his foe.
Lee retracted his arms, bulged his muscles, and slammed the heel of his foot into Sukuna's chin. Blood leaked out from his mouth. Sukuna flipped back onto his feet, positioning himself into a different stance.
"What a damn monster." Sukuna's flesh was decorated by bruises. "Lee's dedication to honing Taijutsu has helped him get strong."
Compared to his Canon alter-ego at the beginning of his team formation, this version of Lee trained much more because of the rivalry between himself and Sukuna. Lee disappeared in a blur.
Palm raised to parry a right hook to the face, Sukuna jabbed his elbow into Lee's abdomen and hurled him backwards. Grinning at Sukuna, Lee moved towards him at an unnatural speed and lashed a leg out.
A roundhouse kick to the temple of the head had Sukuna being propelled away from Lee. Bending his knees, the Taijutsu extraordinaire was met by an upper-cut to the jaw as Sukuna returned.
Their clash of intensity was interrupted when their wrists were grabbed by a pair of muscled hands. Gai appeared between them, teeth twinkling underneath the Sun's radiance. "What a brilliant spar!"
Having released the wrists of his student and semi-student, Gai whirled around and gave them the brightest of grins possible. His knuckles were pressed into his hips. "Sukuna and Lee! Magnificent!"
Wiping his eyes in gratitude, Lee shouted back. "Thank you for your wonderful praise, Gai-Sensei! I will remember it when I fall asleep!"
Sukuna was much more nonchalant compared to his out-going friend. "Thanks for the praise, you bushy-browsed geezer. So, what's up?"
The bushes behind them rustled. Neji and Ten-Ten emerged from them, having witnessed Sukuna and Lee's heated spar. Sukuna blinked at them in recognition—but nevertheless asked. "Who are those two?"
Gai flickered behind Ten-Ten and Neji, planting his hands on their shoulders. "These are my two other students—Ten-Ten and Neji!"
Lee copied Gai, placing a hand on Sukuna's shoulder and telling his two teammates. "Neji and Ten-Ten! Please, meet Ryomen Sukuna!"
"Gai-Sensei." Neji cut into the introductions without patience. "I would rather we tell Lee about our first assignment outside of the village."
"Yeah, Gai-Sensei." Ten-Ten twirled a Kunai in her hand. "No offence but I'm not really interested in meeting one of our under class-men."
"Nonsense!" Gai shook them by their shoulders. "Sukuna is one of the highest ranked in his year! Many teachers call him a latent prodigy!"
Sukuna opened all four of his vermillion eyes at them. Most of the time, he kept the lower two closed. Ten-Ten was taken aback. Neji remained impassive, raising an unaffected eye-brow. "A prodigy?"
"They call me that?" Sukuna himself was confused. "I've never heard anyone call me anything except a damn truant at the academy."
"I shall see you later, Sukuna!" Gai grinned at the crimson-eyed boy, disappearing alongside his team in a hurricane of leaves. "Farewell!"
Shrugging to himself at the introductions of Lee's teammates, Sukuna returned to his usual spot for training and performed a hand-sign. Darkness danced as two wolves emerged from it and yipped.
Once again patting the wolves on their heads, Sukuna contemplated on his next course of action. He would have to tame the next nine of the shadow-constructed creatures available from this technique.
Dispelling the wolves once again, Sukuna rubbed his chin and left the forest to head back to the village. The mood was positive like normal. People were out and about tending to their own business and duties.
Sukuna sighed.
A/N: Thanks for reading.
