AN: Hello, I'm back with another chapter! In this one, Fon explains Jujutsu Society and the SSS trio makes a reappearance.
Chapter title from Hear Me Roar by NerdOut feat. Skybourne like the last chapter. Hope you will enjoy it.
Chapter 5: Where Our Blue Is Arc: ...hear me roar
"So, what did you find out about… my soulmate?" There's a second of pause that betrays Tsuna's nervousness — after all, she would finally learn her soulmate's name after so many years of not knowing.
It is a nerve-wracking moment.
"Quite a bit," Fon says, sitting near his nephew while Reborn leans against the wall. "His name is Geto Suguru and he's a Special Grade Sorcerer."
Geto Suguru. It sounded nice. But there are other questions she needs to ask to get as much information as possible.
"Special Grade? Is that some rank?" the brunette asks, tilting her head to the side in curiosity.
"Correct," Fon nods, pleased. "You see, sorcerers rank themselves and Curses like this: Grade 4, Grade 3, Semi-Grade 2, Grade 2, and so on until one. Special Grade is the most powerful and rarest. There are only three in Japan and your soulmate is one of them."
"How do they grade themselves anyway?" came the question from Ryohei.
"By the amount of Cursed Energy they have and the strength of their Cursed Technique."
"Is it possible to defeat Curses with Flames and normal weapons?" Chrome asks.
"Only Sky and Storms are effective due to their factors," Fon says, "the other Flames don't work on them and act more like support so you will have to use Cursed Tools. As for traditional weapons, they gauge grades like this:
Grade 4 - "A wooden bat is enough."
Grade 3 - "If you have a handgun, you can rest easy."
Grade 2 - "Close call with a shotgun."
Grade 1 - "Even a tank might be insufficient."
Special Grade - "Cluster bombs might work"
"Interesting system. Do you have a Grade, Uncle?" Kyoya wonders, intrigued.
"No," Fon shakes his head. "I'm sure Asari-san told you, but not having Cursed Energy is a sin in Jujutsu Society. Possessing Heavenly Restriction where your senses and body are enhanced to the maximum, but not a drop of Cursed Energy is an even bigger sin. "Monkeys" like us are below sorcerers and don't possess a Grade."
"That's horrible, hahi!" Haru exclaims, indignant. Others aren't pleased either. "And inhumane!"
"That's how it's always been," Fon says simply, having stopped being affected by this a long time ago. "Jujutsu Society is very archaic, its leadership of elders even more so; the six of them uphold tradition and bloodline above all else. They will use anything, even underhanded tactics, to keep it this way."
Kyoya frowns. "Is that why Mother and Father had been killed? Because you symbolize everything they despise?"
The rest of the Tenth Generation stares at their Cloud in shock. They knew Hibari's parents died when he was a child and Fon was the only living relative he had, but the knowledge that Jujutsu Society played a direct role in their death was a new one.
"Your… parents," Chrome says slowly, eyes wide in horror, "had been killed because Jujutsu Society couldn't stand Fon-san?"
"More or less," Fon answers. "The Curse Users — that's Jujutsu Sorcerers who use their powers for harm — who did it claimed independence, but I wouldn't dismiss the notion that Jujutsu higher-ups paid them."
Disgust and anger flashed on everyone's faces at those words.
"So, they are like the Vongola Alliance, but firmly stuck in the past and everyone follows their lead," Hayato concludes, scoffing. "Tch, entitled bastards."
"Yeah," Tsuna agrees, gritting her teeth and internally seething at the injustice done to her Guardian. She knows it has already happened, long before she met Kyoya, and those responsible have already paid in blood, courtesy of Fon-san, but it doesn't stop her blood from boiling in rage.
"Tsuna, keep it together," Giotto and Reborn chide together, taking note of the Flame appearing at her fingertips. "You'll aggravate your headache."
"Sorry," the brunette apologizes, dismissing the Flame. "I'm just… pissed," she looks at the uncle-nephew duo. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. If I ever find those elders that are responsible…" she trails off, leaving no doubt about what she would do.
"And we all will help," Takeshi chimes in, grin and eyes sharp. The rest nod in agreement.
Kyoya mirrors the smirk. His uncle smiles, sharing a look with Reborn.
Honestly, those kids. But it's nice to see such a bond between them, how they are protective of one another.
They are a family.
"The thought is appreciated," Fon says with a smile. "But we haven't discussed everything yet."
Tsuna gives a sharp nod, returning to the original topic. "What else do I need to know?"
"Due to being very archaic, Jujutsu Society has clans. Each clan has its unique ability that they pass through generations. But the three stand out most; people simply refer to them as "The Big Three".
"And what the Big Three consists of?" Kyoko asks.
First, the Kamo clan; their inherited Technique is Blood Manipulation. They are based in Kyoto. Next, the Zenin clan, their inherited technique is Ten Shadows, which summons Ten sacred beasts through shadows, though that ability hasn't resurfaced since the Edo Period."
"Oh, I remember that," Asari, joins in, recalling the event he lived through. 'The heads of Zenin and Gojo killed each other with their inherited Techniques because the Gojo head fell for the soulmate of his rival. That caused quite the uproar."
"I can imagine," Fon chuckles. "It's still a sore spot for both clans, though Zenin is more unpleasant about it."
"Due to being stuck in the past?" Takeshi wonders.
"That's part of it, but the Zenin look down on women; more so than other clans."
The girls of the group adopt flat expressions while the boys roll their eyes, acutely reminded of some members of Nono's generation who aren't pleased with Setsuna being the future Decimo.
Or women being in charge in general. They criticized Chrome being the Guardian as well.
"Chauvinistic asses, got it," Tsuna notes dryly. Seriously, the more she hears about Jujutsu Society, the less she's impressed. "I take it the last of the three is the Gojo?"
"Correct. They have two inherited Techniques: Limitless and Six Eyes. The first is the manipulation of space, basically, and Six Eyes see Cursed Energy on a molecular level. The current user is the Gojo heir, and he's your soulmate's classmate as they both attend Tokyo Jujutsu High. They are hailed as the Strongest Duo."
The Tenth Generation snorts at the name. Shoulders shaking from laughter, Tsuna asks, "Is Geto from a clan too?"
"No, he's not, at least from what I've heard," Fon shakes his head. "It's not uncommon for sorcerers to get recruited from outside the clans. Speaking of Geto," he says. "Are you planning on pursuing a relationship with him?"
"I actually plan on breaking the bond, but it all depends on the conversation we will have," Tsuna says, then frowns behind the blindfold. "Why do you ask, Fon-san?"
"If you choose to keep the bond, there's a high chance the higher-ups will ask for a binding vow."
"A binding vow?" Tsuna repeats in confusion.
"It's a binding agreement between two parties or with oneself," it's Mukuro who answers. "For example, I promise never to hurt shitty Jujutsu elders," the illusionist snaps his fingers, "the vow is in place. And it's not wise to break those."
"What happens if they do get broken?" Hayato asks with a furrowed brow.
"Serious harm," Mukuro says, grim. "Even death."
Heavy silence follows that declaration as all eyes fall on Tsuna, worry etched on their faces.
"Are you ready for such a possibility, Tsuna?" Reborn wonders.
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," the brunette responds firmly. "I need to talk to Geto first. Then we will see," she frowns. Thanks to Fon-san's explanations, she now had some basic knowledge of the world she was about to enter, but there was another problem. "How do I contact him though? I can't exactly go to Tokyo Jujutsu High and say: "Hey can I talk to Geto, he's my other half," she parodied, making everyone laugh.
"No, you can't," Reborn agrees with a chuckle. "Which is why we need to set a meeting. Could we use your tea shop as the spot, Fon?"
"Of course," Fon nods. "I'll also contact Mei-san. She's an information broker of sorts for sorcerers and will do anything for money. She'll pass Geto our message."
"So she's basically a female Viper, kukufu," Mukuro cackles in amusement.
"The similarities are here, yes," the ex-Storm Arcobaleno says. "But I will need something to confirm to her that I come at the request of Geto's soulmate and not some pretender."
"He should have my handkerchief which I dropped when we met," Tsuna says. Then her expression turns thoughtful. "Chrome, pass me a piece of paper and a pen. And I will need yours and Mukuro's illusions."
Both Mists nod, ready to help their Sky.
With that, the second meeting between soulmates was set in motion.
Mei Mei answers Fon's request readily, motivated by curiosity and the sum she was paid.
"I must admit I'm surprised," the woman remarks, sitting opposite Fon at one of the many Tokyo cafes. "I didn't expect to meet supposedly retired Dancing Dragon in the flesh. And free from the Curse at that."
"Well, life is full of surprises," Fon says with a smile. While she was similar to Viper, Mei Mei was much more cordial in her interactions which is a rarity among sorcerers when it came to people like him, but it's a pleasant surprise nonetheless.
"True," Mei Mei agrees before going straight to business. "So what is it you need me for? To announce you are coming out of retirement? Is the dragon going to roar once more and everyone will hear it?"
Fon laughs. "God, no. I'm not coming out of retirement and not planning to. I'm merely acting as a guide to someone entering the Jujutsu world."
"Guide?" Mei Mei repeats. "Have you taken on an apprentice?"
"I have an apprentice, but she is not a Jujutsu Sorcerer," Fon says. "Rather, it's a request from a person I respect and my nephew cares about."
"And who's this person?" Mei Mei hums in curiosity.
"Geto Suguru's soulmate."
The brown eyes turn sharp and calculating. "And how do I know you are not lying?"
At this, Fon takes out a handkerchief adorned with clams spread about, and SS done in a golden thread. Since the original is with Geto Suguru, this is a masterfully crafted illusion created to pass the message discreetly.
But Mei Mei did not need to know that. This is for Geto Suguru only.
"Pass him this," he says, giving her the cloth. "He would know what this is."
"I will," the woman pockets the cloth away.
Fon leans back in his chair, satisfied.
Now all that is left is waiting for Geto Suguru's answer.
Satoru leans against the doorframe of Suguru's dorm, not surprised to see his best friend still in bed. He had been like that since morning, not even having the strength to go to lessons today. Thankfully, Yaga-sensei excused him until he felt better.
"How do you feel?" he asks softly.
"Still the same," Suguru groans, hand over his eyes. "I feel like my head is pounding from the inside out. I forgot that the bond's drawback was a pain since my parents hadn't had it."
Right, the drawback. When Suguru couldn't get out of bed in the morning, and they realized the cause, it made Satoru wonder what kind of ability Suguru's soulmate had to cause the drawback. Was she a sorcerer?
It seemed likely.
"Maybe it's the sign that your soulmate has more brains than you do and you can't handle them," Shoko pipes in from where she was helping with Suguru's pain, making Satoru snicker at her remark, while Geto sends her a glare her way, but it failed due to his headache.
"Fuck off, Shoko," realizing his glare failed, the Curse Manipulator flips her off. Satoru whistles in surprise.
"Man, you must feel really shitty if you started to swear," he notes. Usually, Geto is more courteous than this. The pain must be making him truly miserable.
"Understatement of the year," Suguru grumbles before raising his head and squinting at the white-haired sorcerer. "What did Mei-san want?"
"Oh right!" Satoru remembers. Coming into the room, he takes out the handkerchief. "She said to pass you this. I thought you had one already?"
"I do," Suguru replies in confusion. Sitting up, he takes out the handkerchief and compares the two; they are identical. "Where did she get this?" he asks with a frown.
"She said she was given it by the man who claimed to know your soulmate personally," Satoru says. "Said the guy was asked to pass you this at your lady love's request."
Suguru's eyes sparkle at the knowledge. "At her request?" he repeats eagerly.
"Yes," Satoru says in irritation, struggling not to gag. "Now, take this, you lovesick dumbass before I vomit because of you."
Suguru does as said, vibrating in anticipation. As soon as the second handkerchief is in his hands…
…soft indigo fire engulfs it, leaving the note behind.
