Gojo glanced around the convenience store, adjusting his black-tinted glasses as he surveyed the snack aisles with a casual smirk. He grabbed a few bags of chips and other things before frowning slightly.
"Tch, figures they'd be out of my favorite energy drinks again. What a pain."
He walked up to the cashier counter and tossed his items down with a smirk. "That'll be 480 yen," the cashier droned, unfazed by Gojo's arrogant attitude.
Gojo chuckled, pulling out his wallet. Suddenly, his phone started ringing, and Geto's name flashed across the screen. He held up a finger to the cashier. "Never mind, gotta take a call instead." Pocketing his wallet, he answered cheerfully, "Yo, what's up, Suguru?"
"Where are you right now? It's been a while," Geto's voice came through the line with a hint of impatience.
Gojo casually leaned against the counter with a grin. "A while? It couldn't have been that long. I just stopped for a little snack run, that's all. Nothing special. Don't tell me you want something too?"
The cashier scowled at suddenly being ignored. "Hey! Are you going to pay or what? Stop wasting my time!"
Locking eyes with the clerk, Gojo's gaze turned intense. "You know, it's pretty rude to interrupt people's conversations, right?" The cashier swallowed hard, suddenly uneasy under the teenager's stern look.
Phone still raised to his ear, Gojo flicked some yen onto the counter carelessly before grabbing his purchases and strolling through the exit. "Sorry, I can't get you anything now since I already left. Dude was being a total jackass."
The cashier gritted his teeth as Gojo exited. "Damn brat..."
Standing just outside, Gojo heard Geto sigh over the phone. "I don't think you should waste time at a convenience store. Yaga is pissed you're taking so long and told me to call you. Just tell me you were able to retrieve it."
"What? Can't buy myself some snacks as a reward after a successful mission?" Gojo pulled a small box from his pocket, smirking as he opened it to reveal one of Sukuna's fingers carefully wrapped in talismans, soon to be the 5th finger in possession at Jujutsu High. "Yeah, I got it. It was way too easy for me."
Gojo slipped the box containing Sukuna's finger back into his pocket. "Alright, that's good then. Just hurry up before the higher-ups get upset," Geto urged over the phone.
Gojo frowned as he started walking again. "Oh yeah...so annoying."
Gojo ambled down the parking lot, idly kicking a stray pebble ahead of him as he held his phone to his ear. "Anyways, I was just thinking about that new ramen spot that opened last week. The reviews make it sound absolutely fire."
They fell into a more casual back-and-forth as Gojo strolled down the street.
After a couple more minutes of their banter, Geto said conclusively, "Alright, see you soon. Again, make sure you hurry up and bring Sukuna's finger. The faster, the less trouble there will be, and no more unnecessary pit stops."
Gojo stopped walking and chuckled. "You underestimating me or something? I'm far too strong for any real trouble to happen anyway. I'll be at the school shortly with the finger." He hung up and prepared to take another step forward.
But then he froze, instantly on high alert. "Something's wrong..." He scanned his surroundings cautiously. "Is it Sukuna's finger? No, I don't sense any changes with it. Cursed spirit? Strangely, I can't even pinpoint whatever is causing this feeling."
"Nothing I can't handle." Gojo took one step forward. "I'll just have to-" In the blink of an eye, everything around him flashed and changed in a bizarre, disorienting way. His familiar street was nowhere to be seen.
"What..."
Gojo froze, his eyes slightly widening at the sudden shift in his surroundings.
"What the hell just happened? Where am I?" Gojo muttered under his breath, rubbing his eyes briefly before surveying his surroundings with a furrowed brow. "Definitely no place I've ever been to." It seemed like he had been transported somewhere.
His gaze flickered over the peculiar townsfolk. Some were a mix of human and animalistic features that shouldn't be possible. "Locals seem a little strange, too."
Instinctively, Gojo reached into his pocket and retrieved the small, talisman-wrapped box containing Sukuna's finger, which he had procured. Carefully opening it, he peered inside to ensure the cursed object was undisturbed. "Looks like this came along with me. I wonder if it has anything to do with this."
"Nothing seems that unusual about Sukuna's finger itself, but..." A slight frown creased his features as he noted the finger as the sole source of cursed energy he could detect in this place.
Initially, he thought some powerful cursed technique or domain had transported him. But not even his Six Eyes could pick up any traces, only this strange, unfamiliar energy permeating the air. It simply didn't make sense.
Gojo's frown deepened as he slowly started putting the pieces together. "I might not be on Planet Earth anymore..."
After processing that revelation, the teenage jujutsu sorcerer couldn't help but smirk, his typical casual confidence resurfacing as he straightened up and got his bearings. "Oh well, wherever I've been summoned, it could be fun! Might as well explore."
He wasn't too concerned. Gojo knew his immense power. If some unknown force had brought him here, surely there was a way back. And in the meantime, discovering the secrets of this strange new world could prove quite entertaining.
"At least I have all the things I brought with me," he remarked, patting the pocket containing Sukuna's finger. With that, Gojo started strolling through the city streets, an easy smile playing across his lips as he took in the bizarre sights.
Fetching one of the drinks he had purchased at the convenience store, Gojo cracked it open and took a casual swig as he walked down the peculiar city street.
Despite the outlandish surroundings, he walked with a leisurely, carefree stride as if it were an everyday occurrence.
People and strange cartlike vehicles pulled by giant beasts passed by. Gojo observed the sights with an appraising look, unable to stifle an amused snort.
"This place is giving me some serious medieval Europe vibes," he remarked idly between sips of his drink.
A flicker of thought crossed his expression as he glanced down at the now empty beverage container, briefly wondering how things were unfolding back in his world without him.
Gojo couldn't entirely smother the cocky smirk that tugged at his lips as he imagined the higher-ups at Jujutsu High in an uproar over his mysterious disappearance while in possession of Sukuna's finger.
"I definitely don't have phone service here, so I won't bother trying to call anyone to tell them about my unexpected vacation," he chuckled, tossing the crumpled can into a random nearby basket.
A few passing townspeople shot him looks, no doubt put off by his casual, modern appearance and mannerisms. Gojo grinned back at them, unbothered.
"Poor everyone back home," he said airily, adjusting his black glasses with a short laugh. "I can't imagine how difficult it would be without me in their world."
Despite his joking bravado, the teenage sorcerer knew he needed to start seeking a way to return soon.
"As much as I want to stay around, I should start finding a way back home," Gojo mused, hands shoved casually into his pockets as he strolled along. "Guess I'll start by asking about this place and figuring out its deal."
Suddenly, loud shouts and commotion up ahead caught his attention. Turning, he saw a young child had fallen right into the path of an immense, lumbering creature pulling a sizeable wooden carriage. The reptilian beast barreled forward, seemingly oblivious to the small form huddled in the road directly in its path.
People in the crowded market screamed alarmingly, watching in horror as the incident unfolded. But Gojo's sharp eyes narrowed with a focus behind his black glasses, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"You know, since I'm not even in my own world, I don't have to worry about showing off," he mused. His grin widened a touch. "And I always did like making a good first impression."
Gojo thrust out his hand, activating Blue Amplification. The terrified child remained in the beast's path before being abruptly pulled from the ground by some unseen force. He floated through the air quickly and landed safely in Gojo's grasp.
Cries of shock and awe rippled through the gathered onlookers. The teen smirked, holding up the stunned child by the back of his shirt with one hand as if he weighed no more than a feather. After ensuring the potential tragedy had been wholly averted, Gojo carefully set the boy back on his feet with an air of calm smugness.
"That magic user saved him!" one person watching yelled out. Instantly, cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. Gojo straightened, chin raised as he drank in the adulation with an almost regal air, slowly turning in a circle with one arm raised dramatically.
"Thank you, everyone, thank you for the applause!" he called out in a booming voice, clearly relishing the spectacle he had created. "I know I have saved the day, so you can all thank me."
Shifting into an exaggerated pose, Gojo flashed everyone a big smile. "The great... Gojo! "
He let the child's shirt slip from his grasp, clearly ready to bask in further glory. But the boy seemed to have other ideas, quickly scampering off into the crowd without so much as a backward glance. Gojo watched him go with a dismissive snort.
"Alright, go on then. And don't wander in front of the road like an idiot next time," he remarked wryly.
As the cheers began to die, Gojo straightened his collar and resumed his stroll down the street. His brow furrowed as he replayed the earlier commotion in his mind.
"That one guy called me a magic user," he murmured. "How cliche. So I guess that must be the unfamiliar energy I felt in the air instead of cursed energy."
Judging by the stunned reactions of the crowd to his technique, this world's "magic" seemed to at least share some core similarities with cursed energy and jujutsu. Gojo shrugged, undeterred.
"Eh, I guess I won't know until I see it in action."
With that, the powerfully confident teen continued on his way. "Okay, enough games," he mused aloud. "I think it's about time I ask someone where I am."
Sweeping his gaze over the various stalls and vendors lining the market street, Gojo's eyes narrowed as he picked his target. With a dramatic flourish, he pointed one finger and began reciting his rhyme.
"Eeny, meeny, miny...moe!"
His finger landed squarely on a gruff-looking merchant operating a fruit stall further down the lane. The stocky, green-haired man noticed Gojo's gesture and promptly scowled.
"Hey boy, what you pointing at me for?" he barked gruffly. "You gonna buy something or waste my time?"
Undeterred, Gojo flashed a charming smile and headed to the stall, eyeing the trader with an appraising look.
"What's with your weird clothes?" the merchant asked curiously, gesturing at Gojo's modern Jujutsu Tech uniform. "You traveling from somewhere?"
Gojo glanced down at his attire, plucking idly at the dark fabric.
"My clothes?" He chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "I could ask you the same question about your outfit, old-timer. You locals are stuck in the past, aren't you?"
"Now, what is that supposed to mean?" the man growled, fists clenching atop the wooden counter. "Ya disrespectful little..."
But Gojo swiftly held his hands placatingly, his smirk unwavering despite the man's aggravated demeanor.
"To answer your question, yeah, you can say I'm traveling," he said smoothly. "So you'll have to excuse my ignorance. I'm newer in these parts than you could imagine."
There was a slight pause as Gojo roamed over the display again.
"How about this? If I buy something, can you answer a few questions?"
The merchant snorted, seeming to consider the bargain as his eyes narrowed. After a moment, he gave a nod.
"Yeah, sure," he grunted. "What do you want?"
Turning his focus back to the various baskets and crates lining the stall, Gojo felt his brow crease slightly in confusion. The labels and writing adorning the goods were completely unfamiliar.
Crap, I can't read the language in this world. That's embarrassing.
The impatient trader spoke up again before he could further ponder the predicament.
"What is taking you so damn long?" the man barked impatiently.
Recovering quickly, Gojo shrugged with an easy grin. "Nah, it's just the handwriting is so bad I can't tell how much the apples cost."
The green-haired vendor furrowed his bushy brows in apparent bewilderment.
"You mean Appas?"
At that, Gojo couldn't contain his amused laughter, the mispronunciation sending him into a brief fit of chuckles.
"You call apples 'Appas'?" he managed through his snickers. "That's so stupid! Bahahah!"
"What the hell are you laughing for!?" the furious trader snarled, face contorting with anger.
Wiping his eyes, Gojo paused, his smile dying as another realization struck him like a bucket of cold water. He pulled out his wallet and produced a small stack of yen.
"How much can I get with this?"
The merchant squinted at the foreign currency clutched in Gojo's hand. After a few moments of scrutinizing the coins, he seemed to darken in anger.
"What the hell is this?" he bellowed, slamming a fist on the counter hard enough to make the produce bounce. "You were wasting my time so you could pay with that?!"
The agitated vendor jabbed an accusing finger at the confounded teen.
"You are just flat broke!"
Damn, he's right. My currency is useless here, Gojo thought with a frown. Which means I'm flat broke in this world.
Quickly shoving his empty wallet back into his pocket, he maintained a facade of casual ease despite his internal frustration.
"Can you still at least answer my questions?" the teen asked.
But the furious shopkeeper seemed to have reached his limit.
"No! Get the hell outta here, you disrespectful kid!"
Gojo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he turned away from the angry trader without further protest.
"Right..." he muttered in resignation, strolling the crowded street again.
Gojo strode away from the angry fruit vendor, shaking his head with a scowl as the man's indignant shouts faded behind him.
There had to be someone around here willing to provide him with some basic information about this world. It shouldn't be that difficult. All he needed were a few straightforward answers to get his bearings.
Approaching a nearby building, Gojo boldly opened the door only to stumble into the women's restroom accidentally. A group of shocked girls gaped at the intruder. Rather than looking abashed, Gojo flashed a grin and fluttered his eyelashes exaggeratedly.
"Hey, ladies~"
Shrill screams erupted as Gojo swiftly retreated, snapping the door shut with a chuckle before any violence could occur.
"Okay, next option..."
Down the street, Gojo pushed through swinging doors into a dimly lit taproom filled with burly reptilian patrons. The scaly bartender immediately barked at him.
"Hey, this place is for demihumans only!"
Gojo smirked. "Demihumans? I wasn't aware that's what dinosaurs call themselves here."
"What the hell are you yapping about?" he snarled, beady eyes narrowing dangerously at Gojo.
Seemingly unbothered by the rising hostility, the white-haired teen arched an eyebrow and shot the bartender a pointed look.
"I don't wanna stay here long," he stated bluntly. "I just wanna know about this place I'm at."
The scaled barkeep drew himself up, clearly unimpressed by Gojo's flippant attitude. "Why would you want to know about this place?" he growled. "You shouldn't even be here."
Gojo rolled his eyes with an exasperated scoff. "No, you dumbass. I'm talking about the city," he clarified with exaggerated patience. "This entire-"
A meaty hand suddenly clamped down on the teen's shoulder. Beady black eyes bored into Gojo's as the massive beast attempted to physically heave him out of the way.
"Get out the way, human," the creature snarled when Gojo wouldn't budge.
Rather than cower, the sorcerer merely leveled an intense glare at his scaly assailant.
"You gonna let go of my shoulder?" he asked in a low, dangerous tone.
The reptilian seemed taken aback momentarily before letting out a mocking bark of laughter.
"Or what?" he sneered, clearly not intimidated.
Invisible energy began crackling around Gojo's tightly clenched fist. His smile stretched wide, utterly devoid of humor.
"You know, I just realized I don't have to worry about getting in trouble with the higher-ups if I decide to hurt you," he stated.
The intimidated reptile quickly backed down at the unspoken threat. "M-Man, what's your problem?" he stammered.
With an exaggerated sigh, the pulsating energy around Gojo's fist dissipated.
"Man, you people are no help," the teen grumbled, pushing his way back onto the bustling city street with a shake of his head.
Gojo wandered through the unfamiliar city streets, eventually finding himself in a dimly lit alleyway. He paused, leaning back against the brick wall with a frustrated sigh.
"Man, getting useful information was way more complicated than I expected," he muttered, raking a hand through his white hair.
With a shrug, the teen produced a small canned drink from his bag and popped it open, taking a swig as he attempted to gather his thoughts.
"I'll find out something eventually." His brow furrowed slightly behind his tinted glasses. "I'll probably just have to bide my time then. I wonder how much I can get away with pulling here..."
Gojo's sharp senses abruptly detected three new presences rapidly approaching the alley. He remained unconcerned, casually sipping his beverage as three rough-looking men strutted into view, anticipating an easy mark.
"Well, this ought to be entertaining, at least," Gojo muttered with a smirk.
He flashed them a bright, disarming smile as they approached. "And who are you three supposed to be?"
The trio of apparent thugs sneered in response, spreading out in a loose semi-circle to box the alleyway's only visible exit. The one in the middle, Rachin, took the lead.
"If you don't wanna get hurt, cough up whatever you've got!" he snarled, reaching out to grab Gojo by the collar.
However, the man's hands abruptly froze mere inches away from making contact. An invisible force seemed to halt his forward momentum. Rachin blinked in stunned confusion.
"Huh!?"
Gojo gave a low chuckle regarding the would-be mugger with patent amusement. "Wow, that's pretty pathetic. Don't jobs exist in this world?"
The largest of the three, Gaston, scowled deeply at his friend's failure. "What the hell are you doing?" he barked impatiently.
Rachin quickly backed away, hands raised in a placating gesture as his face twisted with bewilderment.
"It's not me! I tried to grab him, but my hands just...froze before I could touch him."
With a lazy stretch of his arms over his head, Gojo straightened to his full height. An idle smirk played across his lips.
"Pretty bold of you dumbasses to come at me when you don't even realize who you're dealing with," he remarked casually, though his piercing blue eyes glinted with an underlying sense of danger. His usually subdued presence began to churn with energy. "Unless you all get on your knees and beg real nice, I might just have to pop off and show you..."
It's a good time as ever to get some information. All he has to do is intimidate them, and since they are the aggressors, he doesn't even have to feel bad.
The smallest of the trio, Camberley, visibly paled at the thinly veiled threat. "Th-This guy is scary..." he muttered under his breath.
Rachin made a show of producing two wicked-looking knives from his pockets, holding them up in a vain attempt at intimidation. "Yeah? Well, why don't you try us, tough guy?"
Rather than look fazed, Gojo merely strolled up to the knife-wielding punk until they were practically nose-to-nose. That infuriatingly casual smirk never left his face for a moment.
"Go ahead," he stated flatly, blue eyes boring into Rachin's over the rims of his glasses. "I dare you to try it."
Rachin faltered, his bravado waning as confusion and unease flickered across his features. "Wh-what's up with this guy?"
The tangible aura of potent, barely restrained energy swirling around Gojo only intensified by the second. Though they couldn't explain it, all three would-be muggers felt an instinctual chill run down their spines.
Under the crushing weight of that oppressive force, even without any visible manifestation, Rachin's knives abruptly slipped from his trembling grasp, clattering to the alley floor as he shrank back in terror.
Gojo's smirk morphed into a toothy grin at effortlessly having cowed his would-be assailants.
"You guys kinda caught me in a bad mood, so if you want to live...you'd better listen carefully."
A new, higher-pitched voice suddenly pierced the air before Gojo could explain.
"You guys! Out of my way!"
All eyes turned toward the mouth of the alleyway as a young girl with vibrant yellow hair came barreling through, clearly in a frantic hurry about some unknown errand. Upon registering the bizarre scene before her, she skidded to an abrupt halt.
Rather than look fazed, Gojo flashed the girl a casual grin though his eyes remained as intensely focused.
"Are you here to save them?" he quipped dryly, idly jerking a thumb toward the terrified punks.
The young lady blinked for a beat before seemingly brushing off the odd question with a casual shrug of her slim shoulders.
"I dunno what you're talkin' about, but I'm busy!" She waved one hand in a dismissive gesture. "Live strong! Heh!"
And just like that, she was gone, blazing past them once more.
Gojo let out a short bark of laughter as she disappeared around the corner, shaking his head bemusedly.
"I already am living strong," he muttered under his breath.
For a moment, the teen almost looked like he intended to let the thugs go. But then his gaze snapped back to the form of Rachin with renewed intensity, and in a blurring movement too fast for the untrained eye to follow, he'd seized the man by the collar of his coat, hauling him up until they were face-to-face.
"I-I'm sorry! P-Please don't hurt me!" Rachin gibbered, eyes bulging with naked terror as he flailed uselessly in Gojo's vice-like grip. "St-Stop looking at me like that, man!"
A contemptuous sneer curled Gojo's lip as he regarded the pathetic mugger like something he'd stepped in. Gojo then looked at the other two thugs, who instinctively shrank back against the alley wall.
"None of you even think about trying to run away," the teen stated flatly, leaving no room for argument or misinterpretation. "I'll catch up quickly."
Both men gulped audibly, furiously nodding.
"I just need a few questions answered," he began evenly, lips curving into a thin, humorless line. "First of all...where the hell am I?"
The two conscious thugs traded bewildered looks before the larger one, Gaston, seemed to find his voice.
"W-What do you mean?"
"Start by telling me the name of this city."
Gojo's piercing gaze bored into the cowering trio as he kept a firm grip on Rachin's collar, the thug's feet scrambling uselessly against the filthy ground.
"W-We're in the Royal Capital," Rachin gasped between ragged breaths. "Of the K-Kingdom of Lugunica..."
Gojo arched one silver brow expectantly. "And where exactly is that located?"
Camberley quickly piped up, voice reedy with fear. "I-It's the easternmost country on the continent!"
A low hum rumbled in Gojo's throat as he gave a nod. "There, you see? Giving me basic information wasn't so difficult, now was it?"
He turned his intense focus to the largest one, Gaston. "Well? Any other details you'd care to provide about this 'Royal Capital' and its Kingdom?"
Gaston rapidly shook his head, sweat beading on his brow as he held up his hands placatingly. "N-No, that's all we know, I swear! We're just dumb street punks. We don't know nothin' more about this place!"
Gojo's intimidating scowl deepened as he sized up the cowering thugs again. "You know nothing else about this place?" His voice took on a dangerous edge. "You're sure about that?"
Rachin, still hanging limply in Gojo's vice-like grip, rapidly shook his head. "Y-Yeah, I swear! That's all we know, man!"
The Jujutsu sorcerer narrowed his eyes as he studied each man's expression. After a tense moment, his features seemed to relax ever so slightly.
'Pretty sure these guys have no other important information to give me,' he mused inwardly with a mental sigh. 'I guess I should just let them go.'
However, a stray thought caused him to pause before releasing his captives.
"Actually..." Gojo began slowly. "There is one more thing I want to ask."
The thugs tensed apprehensively but remained silent.
"Do any of you know anything about magic in this world?"
If their dumbfounded expressions were any indication, the question caught them off guard. Finally, Gaston seemed to find his voice.
"H-Huh? What're you askin' us that for?" He gestured vaguely at Gojo with one beefy hand. "If anything, you'd know more about magic than us!"
Gojo opened his mouth to respond but was abruptly cut off by a new, feminine voice ringing from the alley's entrance.
"That's enough."
All eyes turned toward the source - a young woman with long, flowing white hair. She leveled Gojo with a look as he glanced her way, still keeping a firm grip on the now-squirming Rachin.
"Kinda in the middle of something here," he remarked dryly, taking in her appearance with mild interest.
The newcomer didn't so much as bat an eye at his dismissive tone. "I don't care about whatever is going on here," she stated with quiet authority. "Just graciously return what you stole. That's all I ask."
Despite the request, Gojo couldn't entirely suppress the faint smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth. "What are you even talking about?"
"Now, please," she insisted with more force, a hint of steel lacing her words. "It's very important to me. I can't allow you to keep that in your possession. Be good, and simply hand it over."
Rachin seemed to find some modicum of courage at the woman's appearance and renewed demands - his earlier terror temporarily forgotten.
"Wh-Who even cares about any of that?!" he shouted desperately toward the stranger, craning his neck to look at her imploringly. "You gotta save us first - this guy is seriously crazy!"
However, Gojo merely shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly, entirely unbothered. "Still don't know what you're on about. But if you are looking for someone, some yellow-haired kid came bolting through here not even a minute ago."
For a long moment, the white-haired woman studied him carefully. Her scrutinizing gaze seemed to bore into Gojo's soul as she weighed the truth of his words. Finally, she gave a slight hum of acknowledgment.
"Hmm...he doesn't seem to be lying," she murmured, primarily to herself. Her brow creased with determination. "Then I need to go after her quickly before it's too late!"
Without further thought, she swiftly turned on her heel and descended the alleyway with a jog.
One of the remaining thugs couldn't quite stifle an incredulous outburst as he watched her rapidly retreating form.
"Are you serious?! She doesn't even care to help us out?!"
A low chuckle rumbled in Gojo's throat at the absurdity of it all as the woman disappeared around the corner. "How cold," he remarked with a wry twist of his lips. "Anyways..."
The white-haired girl nimbly hopped up the small steps, swiftly turning to face them again. "But regardless of that... I can't overlook what's going on here."
She summoned an ice shard in her outstretched palm and blasted it straight towards Gojo without hesitation. The thugs internally cheered, thinking this woman who could use magic was about to save them.
'So this must be magic. It must be what I sensed from her,' Gojo mused, a smirk playing across his lips.
In one fluid motion, he lifted Rachin and shoved the thug directly into the path of the oncoming ice shard. Rachin let out a pained wheeze as the projectile slammed into his chest.
"What the hell?!" the remaining thugs cried in anger and disbelief.
The white-haired woman covered her mouth in horror. "Y-You made me hit him!"
Gojo couldn't hold back a mocking laugh. "Nah...pretty sure you aimed right at him."
"What? No!" she protested, flustered. "You moved him! I was trying to get you!"
Gojo arched an eyebrow. "Get me? And here I thought you were trying to save me from those thugs attempting to rob me." He shrugged nonchalantly. "It was unnecessary anyway. I was just about to let them go."
With that, he unceremoniously dropped Rachin back to the filthy ground. The thug groaned, clutching his chest as Gojo addressed the trio.
"Get out of here, you freaks."
Rachin took a moment to regain his bearings before scrambling to his feet. "Let's go!" he gasped. The others wasted no time heeding his words, quickly disappearing down the alleyway.
Gojo paid them no further mind, his sharp gaze refocusing on the white-haired stranger. "You see?" he stated flatly.
The white-haired girl crossed her arms angrily and turned away with a huff. "Hmph. I don't have time to deal with this nonsense."
She was already preparing to continue chasing the mysterious girl when Gojo's voice called out to her.
"Wait uuuppp!"
She paused, glancing back at him with narrowed eyes. 'What's with that stupid grin?' she thought irritably as she took in his amused expression.
To her dismay, the strange youth began casually strolling towards her with an easy smile, and his hands held out.
'This weirdo!' Her internal monologue continued as she watched him approach with thinly veiled suspicion.
When he was just a few paces away, Gojo tilted his head slightly, feigning an exaggerated pout. "Aw, don't tell me you're in such a hurry to leave already? We just met!"
His tone was light and faintly mocking, as if he found the entire situation entertaining. Regardless, the girl felt her eyebrow give an involuntary twitch of irritation at his audacity.
The girl looked straight ahead, her expression hardening as she braced herself. "If you wish to fight, then-"
Gojo casually cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "No, none of that."
He took another step closer, his relaxed demeanor never wavering despite the frosty reception. Tilting his head, he studied her with an appraising look.
"Come now, is that any way to treat someone you just met?" He flashed a mischievous grin. "At least let me introduce myself properly before you get all hostile."
Spreading his arms out exaggeratedly, Gojo gave her a playful half-bow.
"Satoru Gojo, at your service. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss...?"
When asked for her name, the girl hesitated momentarily before muttering, "...Satella."
She fixed Gojo with a wary look, anticipating a specific reaction upon providing that name. However, to Satella's surprise, the strange youth didn't bat an eyelash.
"Satella, hmm?" He smoothly interjected, committing the name to memory with a slight nod. Gojo's expression remained open and unfazed as he studied her carefully. "What's with that look? Is there something I should know about you, Satella?"
She quickly shook her head, a guarded look flitting across her features. "No!"
Rather than press further, Gojo merely laughed and flashed her one of his trademark smirks.
"Well, anyway, you're in luck," he declared dramatically, striking an exaggerated victory pose with one fist punched toward the sky. "I've graciously decided to help you find whatever useless thing you've lost!"
Gojo studied Satella with a calculating gaze, his inner monologue churning.
'This person seems...interesting. If I'm going to be stuck in this world for the time being, helping her out could be fun. It's a good way to pass the time.'
Satella shot him an irritated look, clearly not amused by his playful banter thus far.
"I don't have time for any more of your games," she stated flatly. "You're already making me lose precious time. Not to mention how rude you've been!"
Gojo merely waved a dismissive hand, undeterred.
"Oh, come on now. With me lending a hand, you'll quickly find whatever's gone missing!" He puffed out his chest with an air of exaggerated bravado. "Or, if you'd prefer, I can play the role of your bodyguard. I am the strongest, after all."
A proud smile tugged at his lips as Gojo awaited her response. However, a new voice abruptly cut through the charged air before Satella could reply.
"How arrogant of you. I'm afraid she already has her strong bodyguard present."
Gojo raised one slim brow inquisitively as he scanned the area for the source of the haughty statement. His gaze finally settled on Satella, who was holding one hand outstretched before her.
To his surprise, a small, cat-like creature suddenly flew out from behind the girl's back, landing atop her open palm with a cheerful "Nya!" before posing proudly and giving an exaggerated wink.
For a long moment, Gojo could only stare in confusion at the bizarre sight before an incredulous bark of laughter exploded from his lips.
"How adorable," he remarked with a grin. "You'd certainly make for a great mascot if not a bodyguard."
The cat-like spirit puffed up at the less-than-flattering assessment.
"Haha, you are right about him being quite rude," it responded, addressing Satella. "Not many would speak like that to a spirit."
'A spirit, huh?' Gojo mused inwardly, filing that interesting tidbit away. 'So that's what this little furball is.'
Aloud, he replied with an easy shrug. "Well, I guess you could say I've already had my fair share of dealings with spirits and the like."
Satella let out a disgruntled huff, clearly bristling at his attitude.
"Puck is far more powerful than his cute appearance would suggest," she stated firmly, almost as if feeling the need to defend her companion's capabilities.
Rather than take the bait, Gojo merely shot her a disarming smile.
"Whatever lets you sleep at night. But anyway..." He extended one hand outward in an exaggerated gesture of invitation. "Are you ready to take me up on my generous offer to lend my aid, my dear Satella?"
The white-haired girl turned toward the cat spirit, Puck as if silently seeking his input. For several tense seconds, Puck studied Gojo carefully with a mysterious gaze, seemingly probing at something only he could detect.
Then, quite abruptly, the spirit's eyes widened in what could only be described as alarm. Sensing for any bad intent, the spirit sensed something more malicious from the boy, precisely the cursed object in his possession. The cat quickly looked toward Satella with evident distress writ across his tiny features.
"Puck what's wrong?" Satella asked wordily.
"I'm afraid there may be an issue," Puck murmured gravely, his usually cheerful demeanor nowhere in evidence. "This person before us..."
Will Emilia accept Gojo's help? Find out the next chapter.
Anyway, this chapter is just Gojo going through everything Subaru went through. I don't know if I should have gone through everything, so I might go back and shorten the chapter. I plan to spice things up as much as possible in the next chapter.
What if the 19 other fingers were brought along by accident? Who would you want it to be if one character in Re: Zero became a vessel for Sukuna? I have an idea in my head already. I don't know how it would happen, though.
While writing this, I thought of a better way I could've written it—a way that was a little more original instead of just Gojo going through what Subaru did. I still finished with the original idea anyway so that I could post. If this gets good reviews, I won't bother going back and changing it to my new idea. Even if I don't change it, I will probably still revise the chapter to remove stuff I didn't like.
This is my first time writing Gojo, so I wonder if I got enough of his character right. It could be more exaggerated or less. Reviews are always helpful, so leave some. Thank you, and I'll see you in the next chapter.