16 chapters in and 100k words deep and I'm finally getting around to asking this, should I make a section at the beginning of each chapter responding to reviews?

I'd make a dedicated section towards answering the questions people have if its something you all care about. So if you do care then let me know my sharing a review.

I hope you all enjoy


The Butterfly Effect


Chapter 16


October 9th

7:17 AM

Tokyo Jujutsu High School

"So, that's about as far as my plan goes." Megumi concluded as he jogged around the track, looking at his senior who was right in step to his side. He studied the upperclassmen's face closely. Yuuta, who had been paying close attention to all of Megumi's reasoning, looked forward as they continued running but it was more of a general focus. His eyes were looking at what was in front but his head was somewhere else.

"Okkotsu..?"

That seemed to shake Yuuta out of his internal thoughts. He blinked quickly before moving his eyes slightly to his left at Megumi. "Sorry, I'm just surprised. That meeting from a week ago was supposed to be a one time thing. Megumi, you don't have to go back there."

Yuuta had sought out Megumi quickly after reading the letter. He had asked to talk with him about what Maki had said and the 10 Shadows user told him that it would be too complicated to explain in just a quick conversation. They agreed to meet at the track and discuss everything as they did some light running.

"So you came to Maki to offer her assurance that you would help Mai while she was away?"

"That's roughly it but the most important note is my plan to become clan head." Megumi noted, the farther away the topic of Maki was the better it would be for him. It wouldn't be so difficult to lower Okkotsu's anxiety about Maki's well-being if there was never a doubt about if she was safe or not. Megumi cursed in his head when he found out Maki mentioned him in her letter, or even wrote a letter at all. She was supposed to let everything out last night but apparently no feelings were confessed last night, which Megumi found hard to believe.

"Megumi, I'm going to be honest, I think this is a bad idea, you becoming the clan head."

Megumi slowed for a second, slightly discouraged by Yuuta's disapproval. He did this partially to alleviate the burden he had to shoulder, but it should be expected that Yuuta would be uncomfortable having to share what he felt was his responsibility.

Yuuta expressed his discomfort further, "Fushiguro, integrating yourself into that place might have its benefits if everything goes well. Personally I just feel like the possible trade-offs may be too costly." Yuuta could count many awful possibilities that would be given new life should Megumi's plan 'go off the rails.'

This was far more of a gamble than Megumi made it out to be. It made things dicey not only for Fushiguro himself but also Yuuta. Exchanging information and plotting the fall of the Zen'in sounded practical and achievable, but it was a lot more complicated than it seemed. Yuuta could think of numerous holes that could screw the plan altogether.

"Firstly, how do you know what comes first; will you join the clan fully before becoming its heir or will you only join if you become heir." Yuuta basically boiled this question down to a matter of leverage and desperation. If it was the former then Megumi could lock himself into a clan without any guarantee of any increased status. Goes without saying the latter would be far more preferable.

"I don't think it matters much in this specific scenario. The clan has always kept a distant eye on me. If my technique isn't as valuable as I think it is then I wouldn't have been allowed into the clan meeting a week and half ago." Megumi answered. It was a tough question to consider but Megumi had confidence in his reasoning. Fushiguro also had to note another wrinkle that influenced his thinking, "There is also the fact that the current clan heir acts like a petulant fool. He is very unpopular amongst many members of the clan."

"Really, who is the current heir?" Yuuta asked with curiosity. Any information of this type could be helpful later down the line.

"His name is Naoya Zen'in. From the whispers I heard when I was at the compound and the interactions between him and Naobito I am confident that the succession of power will be anything but simple."

"Naoya" Yuuta murmured quietly with hatred. The memories of the pain he inflicted on Maki are still very fresh in his mind. Okkotsu calmed himself before Megumi could get a glimpse of his anger and question it. "You think the succession of power will leave the title of clan head uncertain?"

The two had now slowed down to a walking pace.

"Yes, it's the most vulnerable the clan will be. This is a chance that we can't miss!"

The exclamation surprises Yuuta. He didn't know Fushiguro felt so passionately about this. He knew from what he had been told that Fushiguro viewed this as an opportunity to play "Offense" against the Zen'in so that they couldn't get to him. Using this is a way to get whatever power possible from them was smart for him, but it just seemed sort of selfish. Yuuta didn't blame Fushiguro for thinking of himself and his sister firstly, it was simply a minor inconvenience. Sure it had the benefit of possibly helping Yuuta's goals, yet in return the Zen'in would be able to claim they had grown even more in power. Give a little now and get a lot in the future. Like always though, the future was uncertain, there was no way to tell if this would work out in the end.

"I don't know about this Megumi. I think your intentions are good and I'd like to say I agree with you. It's just that…this isn't something that can be undone." Yuuta finished while looking over Megumi, searching for agreement.

Megumi raised an eyebrow, he placed his hand on the door of the school building before pushing it forwards so they could walk in. As the cool air greeted them, Megumi responded to Yuuta with a question of his own. "You would do the same if you were in my situation."

Yuuta, temporarily stun-locked from the harsh truth, flicked his eyes elsewhere so as to avoid any uncomfortable eye contact. It was an absolute truth what Fushiguro said, Yuuta would sacrifice his own happiness or well being for the sake of another he cared for greatly.

"You're right."

'But…I'm different, It would be correct for me to do it, right?' the internal thought asked from within his mind. He was stronger than Megumi, stronger than everyone else. He had the responsibility to do that sort of stuff, even if he didn't want to. Isn't that what Gojo did? Didn't Sensei take on the burden of others? He had to do the same. Right?

It was hard for Yuuta to ponder if what he was doing was right or if he was morally right himself. Often he shoved his morality and doubts away. How could Yuuta trust he was the right person to rely on when he couldn't claim himself to be righteous? He wasn't the strongest like Gojo, and he wasn't a completely 'good' person either like Itadori. He tried to live a life worthy of the admiration he was given but he couldn't quite fit the picture many thought him as. On some level he'd always have to prove he's worthy of the praise.

Still, there were important questions and realization Yuuta had confronted since assuming his higher responsibilities. More and more he wondered what makes a good leader.

It was true he hated fighting, but he hated people who hurt his friends more. It was true he would want to kill someone who would hurt his friends. Did this make him a bad person? At some level it tore away any moral high ground he could stand on.

Would a real leader be someone who can be seen as a moral pillar that everyone can look to? Or would a real leader be a warrior who can face any obstacle and overcome it? Yuuta didn't know the answer.

He accepted this job as a sorcerer because it would bring him connections and friends. Everything was different now, he had what he had sought out, but the world kept giving him more.

Ideally a leader ought to be someone who can carry the weight of everyone because he can do what others cannot. That was a definition that Yuuta was confident he could match. He'd do anything for his friends.

"Fushiguro, I can take the burden because that is my role."

Megumi nodded in understanding, " I understand your perspective. But Okkotsu, this is my role as well. As a sorcerer, and as a brother."

That was something else Yuuta couldn't argue with. Maybe he did have the role of a leader and the obligation to try and handle what they could not, but wasn't it also reasonable to let people handle their own affairs?

How would he get anything done if he was constantly conflicted about what he should and should not do. He needed to be more decisive.

"I guess you're right Megumi. I just feel like I am doing something wrong by not helping you."

"If Zen'in were here she would tell you to get over yourself. If I need help I'll ask for it, give me the trust that I would ask if I had to."

The special grade agreed with him. Megumi was a very smart person and someone all of his classmates were in agreement would become a very intelligent sorcerer one day. Yuuta could trust that Megumi would ask for help if the time came. "Alright, but don't make any unnecessary moves. And in return I also ask that you consult with Principal Yaga or Kusakabe Sensei before making important judgments."

Megumi physically complied with a nod.

"Okkotsu, I know it's only been a day, but what plans do you have to bring Gojo back to Japan?"

Said sorcerer looked away guiltily at the thought. He honestly had no thought over it much. Yuuta had no idea where to begin, he didn't know the stipulations of the binding vow between his teacher and the director or practically anything about the director. "I guess my first thought was to recover any information about the director that is possible to find."

It obviously went unsaid how difficult such a task would be. He was already informed of the nonexistence of knowledge surrounding the director. It wouldn't even be a game of cat and mouse because the mouse in this scenario was more the size of a tardigrade.

Yuuta continued, "If I had an idea of at least who the director was then there would be at least something that could give me a window into how they think or what they want."

"It would be best if we didn't count on that though. Another reason why gathering information from the Zen'in is so important. For all we know they have the most connection with them." Megumi reasoned, again trying to gain Yuuta's absolute faith in his plan.

"I hear you Megumi. I do." Yuuta said while placing his hand against his forehead to hold it up. "Alright…I trust your judgment. Regardless of how I feel it wouldn't be smart to let an opportunity like this pass."

Megumi nodded once his upperclassmen finally relented. "Thank you, Okkotsu. And could you please let Itadori and Kugisaki know my plan? I won't be able to go on missions with them often from now on."

"I will." Yuuta then rose from his seat and retrieved his phone from his pocket, "one last question, why did Maki tell me all this through a letter? Do you know?"

Megumi bit his tongue for a moment, this was a tricky question. "She isn't going to be in a situation where she can call or text. Regardless if she has a cell phone on her."

The copy user was puzzled with the explanation but reasoned it meaning that Maki wanted privacy during these next few weeks. And he would gladly give her whatever she wanted. "I see. Well I have to get to Kyoto, Ms. Utahime requested I come there to talk about some important business she discussed with sensei."

Megumi was about to head out of the mess hall when he turned his head and asked, "what about your special grade mission?"

"I've investigated every single special grade phenomenon since I returned. Until the culprit behind these incidents acts further this is the current end of the trail." Yuuta said with a soured tone, something about these cases was clearly on his mind but he was deciding not to share.

"Alright Okkotsu, thank you for talking with me. I am going to attempt to get in contact with Naobito.." Megumi wrapped up his goodbye and then made leave from the open space to navigate to his dorm room.

Megumi's first objective would be establishing consistent communication with the Zen'in clan.

Yuuta, still on his feet, began leaving the spacious dining area to head to his own dorm so he could take a shower and be ready in time for his car ride from Ijichi.


8:24 AM

Yuuta waited for Ijichi at an entrance of the school that connected with a two way road.

His conversation with Megumi made him remember a memory from many months ago. A conversation he had with his old teacher Miguel.


[Flashback]

May 23rd, 2018

6:03 PM

"What do you mean you're full, boy? You can finish that last portion. It is hardly a bite." The dark skinned sorcerer exclaimed with disapproval.

Yuuta stretched the back of his head sheepishly, "I'm sorry Miguel, I just had too much to eat after my sprints earlier hehe."

"Sprints? Boy those were jogs. If I still had 'black rope' I would tie it around your stomach so you could live life without cursed energy." Miguel murmured with an annoyed tone. "You've become so accustomed to a life of blessings that it's lost its meaning."

The younger boy tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Lost its meaning?" It sounded weird out loud to Yuuta.

"Yes. You've become so full that you no longer hunger. You aren't eating with the same purpose as when you first got here." Miguel pinched his nose, showing how Yuuta was exacerbating his teacher's mood. "Be grateful for the food on your plate, boy. Every ingredient is a gift. Only when you finish your food can you appreciate how blessed you are."

"Why does how much food I eat matter when being grateful?" The younger of the two questioned

"If a friend gave you a gift that you had no need for, would you give it away?"

"Is this meal supposed to be a gift?"

"Of course it is. Life itself is a gift! People work hard to put food on their plates enough as it is, so when someone or life gives you a plate of incredible ingredients you must consume all of it." The older of the two explained to the younger one.

This answer still befuddled Yuuta. "But I really am full. How can I eat anymore if I've already had enough? Why can't I give it to someone else?"

Miguel again sighed, "I was making a larger point, Yuuta. Sure you can share food with others if you're genuinely full, but what I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't be full yet. You should be hungry."

"I shouldn't be full?"

"Of course not!" Miguel states with a chuckle, "Your plate still has food on it, Yuuta. You still have so much life left to live." The Kenyan sorcerer thought about his words for another moment. "Yuuta, Life is like a meal. Each spice and flavor is an unforgettable experience that enriches it. So finish your food, live out your life. Don't let any flavor go to waste because you're full, life gave you this food for a reason."

Yuuta thought about the wisdom Miguel was trying to impart on him, but there was one part that Yuuta couldn't quite get over. "But Miguel, if life is a meal is it even possible to be 'full.'"

"That's an interesting question. Some would say yes, some would say no. Personally I think of each day as its own meal. I enjoy it and I am grateful for it. Whatever flavors life picked out for me that day I try to savor and enjoy."

Miguel smiled thinking about some of his fondest life experiences. He had good meals, met good people, and had great memories. "Yuuta, When you think of an imaginary 'best meal ever' would you say the scenario mostly depends on the food?"

The question intrigued Yuuta. As he thought about it he realized Miguel had a point. "No, it often involves people I care about and spending time with them."

"Precisely. So long as you have those important people in your life to spend time with, every meal can be the 'best meal ever'."

Miguel leaned back in his wooden chair. Breathing in. "Some people out there don't have that luxury though. They lived lives chasing after sweeter treasures. In the end, they all die with regrets."

"What about dessert, Miguel?"

Miguel chuckled deeply at that question. Naturally if they were talking about metaphors of life through meals dessert would be mentioned. "Dessert is like the crescendo of life. Many people who lay on their deathbed have an experience they can look back on and call 'dessert.'"

"So should I be full after my meal or after dessert?" Yuuta asked his teacher.

"I say not to worry about that. Let dessert find you. People who curse themselves chasing after it are hardly ever the ones to find it." Miguel said while shaking his head, thinking of the poor souls who led unsatisfactory lives. " Yuuta, life isn't complete until you don't have a breath left to give. Become blessed, find true satisfaction and enjoy every day you have. Every ingredient and experience life offers, you should grab a hold of fiercely, It's ok to be hungry."

Yuuta didn't know why he was compelled to draw his hand to his plate and grab the last bit of delicious food that still remained. He was full after all. But he assumed it wouldn't hurt to just have one more bite, that last bite of food that Miguel had made for him and that life has given him the privilege to eat.

Maybe the moment got to him, but that one bite itself felt like a mini-dessert itself. Just that small piece that was left over from his previous eating was enough to make him chew it languidly and enjoy every moment chewing.

"That was amazing."

"Remember that moment, Yuuta. Moments like these are what you fight to protect. Imagine a meal like this but with that girl you talk about in your sleep. Or those friends you make dolls of."

"I d-don't talk in my Sleep! AND THEY ARENT DOLLS! They're more like…little stuffed animals things." Yuuta flushed crimson in embarrassment. He was never going to live that knitting phase those first 3 weeks in Kenya down. He couldn't deny Miguel's point about Maki, if he did talk in his sleep it was likely about her.

"My point is the same Yuuta. Protect your meal, your life, and the lives of those you care about."

"Of course. That's my purpose." Yuuta states firmly.

"I think You'll make a good leader, Yuuta."


Present Time.

HONK! HONK!

Yuuta looked over to see Ijichi looking at him in great confusion. 'Had he been trying to get my attention for a while now?'

Yuuta shook his head and walked over to the limousine to prepare for the long drive to Kyoto.


12:56 PM

Kyoto Jujutsu High school

Yuuta knew of the school rivalry, he even thought it was pretty fun, but he definitely didn't expect to be getting disapproving looks from many of the students from Kyoto.

The Kyoto jujutsu highschool was a little different from Japan in that the third years were actually at the school and not suspended indefinitely. Another little detail is the vast gap in strength between the two schools on average. Kyoto was a more standard school that most gifted cursed energy observant children would enter at an older age, while Tokyo was a school designed for those with more…raw talents.

Nanami had once told him it was to give a more fair education so that no one would be given unequal education. Those who held more potential needed a more blunt approach whereas those who had a more subtlety to their talent needed a "gentle helping hand." It was interesting because it was the opposite of what would be expected. Then again, cultivating dormant potential was always a more challenging endeavor. Yuuta was curious why the two schools seemed so different.

Maybe that was why he was getting glares from people he had never seen before. Probably had to do with his talent. It made Yuuta a little sad but it was nothing he could get hung up on.

He searched the area for Utahime or any of the Kyoto students that were recognizable to him. It was such a nostalgic trip being back here for the first time since his first exchange event. Back when he was still seen as a threat, he still was to some extent. Likely another season why he was getting disgusted expressions.

"There you are Okkotsu!" A boisterous and echoing voice called.

Yuuta turned around to find the older Aoi Todo walking in his direction. He was still the same as he remembers but now he had lost an eye in his effort to save his classmates from the hellfire of the forest from days ago. Another sharp zap of guilt flickered inside of him. If he hadn't been so caught up in his own feelings he could've prevented that.

Yet Todo seemed as lively as ever, not a step lost in his feet. "We have been waiting quite a while for you. We have plenty to discuss so come."

Yuuta didn't say a word back and followed Todo without question.

As they traversed the school Yuuta could feel his curiosity growing, he had never been inside the school before. "Todo, I know the differences between the two schools but I'm still a little inexperienced on the details."

The 4th year sensed the implied question beneath his words. "It's hard to think about but you've been a sorcerer for a relatively short time." And a quick snort of laughter later he follows up, "Kyoto offers a more systematic approach to teaching. Designed to work as a collective, this is a contrast to Tokyo's more 'outgoing' practices."

"Could you uhm, summarize that for me." Yuuta said with slight embarrassment.

"Well, to put it simply; Kyoto takes a more hands off approach, students learn more in the classroom than on mission." Todo noted internally that he was a special case given his individual training from Yuki Tsukumo.

"So students like…actually do class work?"

"Indeed. It is a school after all. And most parents who don't understand sorcery at all wouldn't send their children to a school where they might die."

That was something Yuuta didn't know about until now. It should've always been a given though. Most sorcerers didn't come from sorcerer bloodlines but ones with dormant cursed energies. It also explained why Kyoto had so many more students than Tokyo. Yuuta had always assumed talent was the main factor but he was missing other important components.

"Are there subjects?" Yuuta questions half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"Four: combat, technique, barriers, manipulation."

"But not all sorcerers have cursed techniques." Yuuta remarked quizzically.

"Then they likely learn another area such as cursed tools."

The more Yuuta learned the more lousy it made Tokyo seem as a school. "Then, how does Tokyo remain a facilitating school with Kyoto around?"

Todo smirked, eager to see Yuuta's fascination. They were very close to the room they would be stopping in. "Tokyo has its merits, in fact, I'd argue is the better school for learning Jujutsu and how to use it."

"I'm guessing the downside is the hands on approach again though. Being a sorcerer is already commuting to die horribly, at least going to Kyoto would help the chances." The special grade commented.

"That is correct. In my case my talent was discovered by a knowledgeable sorceress who saw that I was very unrefined and needed a way to harness my 530,000 IQ. Kyoto was the best option."

"…yeah."

Finally they reached the classroom that the 4th year had been leading them to. "Alright Okkotsu, this is where we part ways." The older young man turned more serious, placing a hand on Yuuta's shoulder a little harshly. "If you could…please tell my brother to come down to train with me."

"Y-yeah I will Todo…"

Now content the senior students then walked away while whistling with what was probably joy.

Yuuta deadpanned slightly and cleared his head of the goofy display and clicked open the door to find Utahime sitting at a desk with a stern expression while looking at another student. Yuuta quickly connected the odd shape and form of the figure to be none other than Mechamaru.

"Ms. Utahime, what did you need me for? you said you had something to discuss with me?"

Said woman turned towards the young second year sorcerer and nodded slightly while maintaining her serious look at Machamaru, "I did Yuuta. And the reason for this conversation is right before us?"

A pause and an increase in the room's temperature and tension later Yuuta continuously moved his eyes back and forth between the Kyoto student and his teacher. "I'm not sure I follow Ms. Utahime." Okkotsu said aloud hoping for some clarification.

"Go on Mechamaru, tell Yuuta what you told all of us."

Yuuta looked back at the puppet manipulator confused. "What is it?"

A robotic noise could be hard buzzing through a speaker like device inside the mouth of the puppet. "Yuuta Okkotsu. For the past number of months I have been meeting with the enemy to trade information pertaining to the lives of all staff and promising individual students."

Okkotsu's eyes didn't widen in surprise or shock. He kept an impartial face on his features as he listened, but not without delivering a harsh "continue."

Mechamaru didn't bother waiting for any more consent from his teacher, as soon as he was prompted to speak again, he did. "All information regarding the abilities, powers, strengths, weaknesses, psychology, physicality, I documented them all and have annual reports to the enemy."

Yuuta fought a hold of his anger and stuffed it down. He needed to be mature. "And how long have you been doing this?"

"Since I arrived at Kyoto Jujutsu High School."

"And you've sold information about your classmates to who exactly?"

"I cannot disclose the individual due to binding vow restrictions. And I traded the information about all of Tokyo's students as well." The robotic voice stated.

Yuuta clenched his first at his side. "Did you know about the exchange event scheme?"

Without even missing a beat the voice stated a sharp "Yes." The ease at which he admitted it infuriated Yuuta. Admitting to betraying your friends and classmates so easily repulsed him.

Utahime for her part was horrified by the revelation. She should've figured as much since Mechamaru had come clean to her but she still had held out hope. She has used every bit of her denial to give her student the benefit of the doubt. It hurt to see her student so callously admit to betraying them. A part of her still couldn't accept it, this wasn't the same person she had taught for over a year, it wasn't the same person who read books with Miwa and complimented her on her simple domain practice.

"So why are you confessing to this now? You have a good idea what will happen next, don't you?" The blessed sorcerer asked with a hint of foreboding.

"Things have escalated past my scope. I was unprepared for the larger plans at work and I am too immature to back out. I want to apologize for my arrogance in thinking I had the situation under control." The explanation felt so manufactured and robotic that Yuuta didn't buy it as genuine for a second.

Yuuta growled. 'So Mechamaru flew too close to the sun and regrets his...wait a second…' Yuuta realized the implication behind the specific wording of Mechamaru's previous response. "What do you mean you are too immature to back out? Why the hell are you here if you aren't backing out?"

"This is a automated response puppet sent by Kokichi Muta. Will be shutting down in 5…4…3…"

"Wait! No dammit!" Yuuta exclaimed harshly as he moved over to the puppet and tried to jumpstart it with cursed energy. However in his rush of anger and uncertainty he sent too much energy into the puppet causing it to shatter.

"Shit." Yuuta cursed aloud. He turned to Utahime who had been watching the unfolding events with her own flabbergasted face, "Ms. Utahime, do you have any idea where Mechamaru is located?"

"I do…but I doubt he'd stay there. It's likely he has moved somewhere else."

'Dammit', Yuuta cursed internally repeatedly. The bastard didn't even have the decency to tell him what information he had traded. What if that was his fault because he had asked the automated puppet the wrong questions?

'Shit. I screwed up.'

Yuuta let out a long sigh. Newly formed disappointment coursing through his body. "Ms. Utahime, I fucked up. I'm sorry."

"Nonsense. Mechamaru implied a binding vow was at work, so if you're worrying over the information that was exchanged, it's pointless." She reasoned. Yuuta nodded, Utahime wasn't a particularly strong sorcerer but she was a veteran, she had an experienced perspective on these topics. Of course this did nothing to comfort Yuuta from his frustration but it calmed him down.

The special grade looked over at the teacher and decided to change the topic to another serious matter. "Ms. Utahime, how many students of your specific class are present at this moment?"

Kyoto's top teacher studied him for a moment before answering hesitantly. "Well, Momo and Todo are here at the moment. Mai is with her…clan. And Kamo is dealing with personal matters as well." Utahime wasn't going to be able to resist the temptation to ask further about his curiosity, "why do you ask, Yuuta?"

"Once they are all back here let me know. I'm going to come back."

"Why?"

"It's about time I made use of my cursed technique."


Hope the chapter was enjoyable.