"Why didn't you tell me you guys were dating! We had brunch like every week!" Nobara was appalled by Ciel's secrecy. Hiding Yuuji was one thing, but to never mention dating someone was just another level of betrayal. Think of all the girl talk they could have done!
"For the record, I wanted to see you guys right away," Yuuji said, holding a frame in front of his head while kneeling on the floor, as a way to commemorate his "death" of which they never held a proper funeral of. One could see it as making up for lost time, the other would call this bullying.
"Shut up. The dead aren't supposed to speak," Nobara responded before resuming her talk with Ciel. "I can't believe you didn't say anything. I even went with you when you dropped off those flowers for Itadori-kun!"
Yuuji gasped, his eyes shimmered as he lowered the frame to his lips. "You brought me flowers? That's so sweet." (Nobara: "what did I just say?")
"I really am sorry," Ciel said with gentle sincerity. "I was just as surprised when I discovered Yuuji-kun was alive. A lot has happened, but please believe me, it wasn't my intention to shock you like this."
"A tragic love story between the condemned and his killer. You can make millions off of that book!" Panda said from the side. Yuuji was still getting used to him.
The class of Gojo were gathered in a room for one last meeting prior to the start of the event. There was a brief rundown of Yuuji's survival and training for the last two months – excluding certain details that were better off discussed another time.
"Salmon. Sake," Inumaki agreed, confusing Yuuji with his strange choice of words.
"Not necessarily. A story like that would be difficult to copyright," Ciel responded to Inumaki. Her referral to him caught Inumaki and the others by surprise. "Take the show Ghosts for example (The American version specifically)."
"Uhhh what?" Yuuji said.
"You can understand Inumaki?" Maki asked, impressed by that. Even more so that she managed to get more than affirmation from Inumaki.
"I can. I assume his vocabulary is limited due to his ability, correct?" Ciel began before giving a slight breath. "No. Perhaps I shouldn't play around this time. The truth is Gojo-sensei told me enough about all of you. It felt appropriate to know who my classmates are now that I am a student here."
"He didn't tell me anything…" Yuuji said, leading to Megumi to explain Inumaki's abilities to him.
"I heard the Burial Agency have seats ranking each member," Maki asked with her sheathed weapon over her shoulder. She has yet to set it down ever since Ciel appeared. "So what seat are you?"
"The Seventh. I'm still considered new in my company, but although I rank the lowest, I can assure you my abilities are nothing to take light of," Ciel answered stoically.
"That doesn't matter. Just being in the BA is a big enough deal. This'll knock out that "handicap" comment from Kyoto." Not to mention fill up the missing slot.
"Seven is a pretty good number," Yuuji said, standing up so to talk down Ciel's modesty, placing his hands on his hips. "You should really give yourself more credit. That's like the top of your class, right?"
"Ah. Well…" Ciel side-glanced, a little uncomfortable of this approached subject.
"Hm?" Maki noted Yuuji's phrasing and pointed at him. "Wait. Don't you know?"
At Yuuji's look and Ciel's continuing embarrassment, Maki explained. "The Burial Agency isn't a company of Executors, it's its own special group of the "strongest militants". There's seven members only (eight technically but no one cares about that). Even if you're ranked the lowest, just being on the list makes you an elite – the same level as Special Grade Sorcerers like Gojo-sensei."
"HUH?! Is that true?!" Yuuji and Nobara both shouted. They looked back and find Ciel facing away from them fully. A faint pink on the tip of her ears.
"It's being an elite like that that lets you get away with everything, even "switching sides" and joining a mage guild," Maki concluded. Or wiping out an entire town to kill the vampire they're hunting - dead or no dead.
It was a no brainer why so many of them were on edge the second Gojo revealed Ciel. Even most Executors can't get away with half the shit those amongst the Burial Agency could.
"So… You're like the top top, of everything!" Yuuji said in amazement. So this is what they meant having Diplomatic Immunity.
Ciel objected. "Not true. My body's... "special condition" is what makes me stand out from the rest."
And because Narabeck openly despise Ciel.
"Mustard leaf?" Inumaki repeated – in his own word.
"That's right…" Ciel said slowly (Yuuji: "seriously, how do you understand that?"). "I have a high aptitude for magical prowess that allows me to use spells consecutively or a large output of it, such magic includes cursed energy, including Reverse Cursed Technique - not limiting to myself. I am able to use Reverse Cursed Technique externally as well and heal others with it."
Understanding that they were to cooperate for this event, and perhaps respecting Gojo's wishes of her needing to "contribute", Ciel decided to unveil this ability to show her value, except her immortality. Such a delicate topic is to be saved for another day – if ever she comes up with a believable excuse for it.
Her reveal took many by surprise.
"Reverse Curse…? That's an impressive resume all right," Panda said, though perhaps they shouldn't expect less from a Burial Agency member. "The only other people we know who could use that is Ieiri-san and-"
Inumaki jabbed an elbow at Panda's side and he instantly shut himself up, covering his snout with his black paws.
Ciel caught that but decided not to press. They were strangers after all, it's not as if the students here – aside from the three she was most familiar with – were willing to trust her. The feeling was quite mutual even.
"What about you? What can you do?" Maki asked Yuuji.
"I can punch and kick," Yuuji answered simply. He then turned and showed his purple bag. "Recently, I've learned how to throw weapons too. I like to think my aiming is good."
"Like to? Is it good or not?" Maki demanded. "Don't throw any my way if you're not sure."
Yuuji's confidence dampened. Sheesh. She's tough…
"Still, having someone who could fight from afar is useful," Panda said as he rubbed his chin over a nearby wooden beam. "Should we pair him up with Kugisaki?"
"Why bother? We've got an executor here with us. You do the same, but better, right?" Maki pointed out as she asked Ciel.
"She really doesn't hold back…" Yuuji was getting the feeling he's going to be the kid that gets picked last at a dodgeball game.
Before Ciel would jump into Yuuji's defense, Megumi spoke up. "I wouldn't underestimate Itadori. If I have to categorize all of us, and Ciel-senpai…"
He looked at his group with frankness, "Itadori alone would catch up to her."
Well said. Ciel nodded, inciting a dose of pride in Yuuji.
The assessment made everyone pause. Maki smirked. So that's how it is...
Damn. Now she's interested in a sparring match with these two. Next time.
"Either way, if it comes down to it, we're choosing her over him," Maki said.
"Eh?! I mean, that's fair. But like, be more gentle about it…" Yuuji sulked, earning a comforting pat of his shoulder from Ciel.
Her patting hand was snatched away by Nobara. Ciel looked at her curiously as the other girl pulled the executor along. "Stuff it. You still need to hold that frame up for another hour. Ciel and I are gonna take a walk."
"Wha-? Right now? Shouldn't we discuss tactics first?" Yuuji asked.
"We were mourning your death while you were shacking up with your girlfriend. This is the least you could do," Nobara rebuked before leaning close over Ciel's shoulder. "And I'm still mad at you, Ciel. You're gonna make it up to me by telling me all the details. For example..."
She leaned over closely. "Have you guys... you know...?"
Nobara whispered her question.
"...That's classified," Ciel answered without a hint of exposure.
"Oh come on! Don't leave me in the dark!" Nobara shook Ciel's arm, demanding her to spill everything.
Yuuji wanted to follow them, but he was held back by Maki, pulling at his red hood.
"Hold on. That weapon Sensei gave you," Maki held out her hand. "You still have it, don't you? Give it back."
"Uh... Weapon...?" Was she talking about Demon Slaughterer? The one that was destroyed and lost at the Detention Center? Oh no...
Before Yuuji could come up with a lie, or blame it on Sensei, he felt something move at his back. "Huh?"
He took the bag off and opened it. "-! AH!"
Yuuji pulled out the sharp weapon distinct from the others. The repaired Demon Slaughterer shone without a hint of flaw in its construction, as if it'd never been broken. Where on earth did this come from?
"Uh, I mean... here you go," he handed the weapon over to Maki (Maki: "Finally."). Yuuji then looked over to Ciel, who before leaving the room, saw him hand over the Demon Slaughterer and gave him a subtle wink.
She's an angel... Yuuji blissfully expressed his gratitude. The only one who noticed it was Megumi, who gave Yuuji a knowing side-eye, but said nothing.
"Kill Yuuji Itadori."
The students of Kyoto High gathered in front of their principal Gakuganji. They were in a building within Tokyo High grounds, using this moment of separation from the other students and staff to discuss and reevaluate their approach for this event.
I don't want to, Miwa didn't have the courage to say it out loud. She was even less willing to do so knowing who that guy's girlfriend was.
"Isn't that what that girl plans to do?" Mai pointed out, her back leaning against the wall. "She's an executor, right? And if he's still alive, doesn't that mean he can't die?"
"It's uncertain what that executor did exactly during their fight, but according to the reports, the vessel's death was legitimate." Via removal of the heart. And if one were to remove said heart, killing themselves but not by use of cursed energy, then it was possible for even a human soul to resuscitate, becoming a curse. This marked the importance of Jujutsu Sorcerers using cursed energy or cursed tools against cursed spirits, it was the most efficient tool of exorcism that assured the soul won't come back.
"Whether he was brought back of his own volition, or by that executor, is irrelevant," Gakuganji said. "Do not think of him as human. You may treat his existence as any other curse."
He stroked his beard, "As for that executor, it would be bad for us if another organization deals with him. The Church has practically overtaken this city already, using the dead apostles they're hunting for as an excuse. If they were to exorcise Sukuna completely, it'll shame us twice, and grant them more influence in Japan."
He added gravely, "The purpose of jujutsu sorcerers would be put into question. Our school - our entire society - would be threatened with extinction. For those who don't intend to convert to the Church's practice, it'll be a repeat of history."
The air was tense after hearing this. Momo gripped her broom uncomfortably, "It's a little messed up, even for an assassin. If she's got him attached to her hip, how do we get close?"
Executors were highly trained to deal with mages. While Momo wouldn't back down, hearing that this executor was from the Burial Agency was a different story.
"There are no methods too low for their kind. Seducing the vessel might have just been of convenience. No doubt its proven its effectiveness (Mai and Momo: "Tch!")," Gakuganji adjusted his grip of his cane. "I already sent word to the higher ups regarding the situation. I expect we'll receive a response from them in the next hour. What's important is for us to eliminate the vessel first, before that executor does. The future of Jujutsu Society depends on this."
"I agree," Noritoshi said. "It's a shaman's duty to exorcise curses. I refuse to let outsiders walk these grounds and make a mockery of us. They'll pay with their lives if that's what it takes."
A rookie who became a sorcerer out of luck, or an imposter from an enemy faction. It's an affront to everything he stood for as a jujutsu sorcerer. Noritoshi won't let either of them get away with this.
"Good. We'll come up with a strategy to deal with her after the vessel is killed," Gakuganji said. "With Todo's assistance, all of you may be able to overwhelm her together. If that executor knows what's good for her, the second she retaliates, it will mean her immediate expulsion. Not even Gojo can shield her from the consequences."
The second she harms any of them, her death would be certain, and all of Jujutsu Society would be gunning for her, either straight onto a plane out of Japan or to a grave.
Executors are notorious for their back-door methods to ward off anyone's alert, leaving no paper trail.
If she was here unofficially, then no matter if her company ordered it, killing her would be inconsequential, for the excuse could be used that the sorcerers were fending off an intruder. If the Church dared to say anything about it, they better have a damn good reason for crossing foreign lines behind the sorcerers backs, even more so why they never informed anyone of a vampire here to begin with. Regardless if that Mario Bestino is involved, what mattered was that it was done without so much as a heads up. And by then, a mess had already been made.
"Where is Todo anyway?" Mai asked as she looked at the clock on the wall. It's not like him to miss out on meetings, not that she was looking forward to him being here anyway.
"He said he had something important to do," Miwa answered, finally adding to the conversation (she mentally gave herself a pat on the back for that). "Something about a re-run of Takada, I think?"
"Unbelievable. We have a serious issue here, and he's fooling around," Noritoshi head straight for the door. "I'll bring him in."
"No need. We'll fill him in on the details later," Gakuganji said. It was better this way, knowing how stubborn Todo was. There'd be a fight if it meant getting that sorcerer to go anywhere else other than his idol. "We musn't draw in any suspicions or move unnecessarily. That executor, and especially that Satoru Gojo, will keep a close eye on us if we so much as look at the vessel the wrong way. Thankfully, there's a period of which neither of us must come into contact with Tokyo's students during the event."
His thick brows rose, "For now, act as you were before. Once the time comes, show no mercy. Likewise, I will be doing my part in keeping the executor occupied."
There were a few knocks on the door. At Gakuganji's ushering, the sorcerer assistant showed herself, and she went up to the Kyoto principal to deliver a message.
After the message was received, Gakuganji's shoulders lowered, visibly relieved. "The elders have given their response. Thus, phase one is a go."
The Kyoto students showed their readiness.
"Now, let us discuss phase two-"
To avoid attracting the attention of the executor and the six-eyes user, it goes without saying that absolute discretion was a must for Kyoto.
"What type of woman is your girlfriend?"
Yuuji stared baffled at the tall, buff teen before him. One minute, he was with Megumi, walking to his dorm room that'd been untouched since his "departure", moving some of Yuuji's new things there. The next, he was standing on top of a roof of his school, being asked the question by what he could best describe as a sumo wrestler (minus the big gut).
"...What?"
Author's Note: yeah... this is a short one. Sorry guys, my internet was being difficult this past month and this was all that I could get done. Internet's sort of fixed now but does make me believe that shorter chapters are the best I could do to keep this story pumping (its like a chapter on shonen jump!), that way I don't exhaust myself (i think I said this before but wanted to reiterate), and you guys have been waiting long enough.
I was going to follow the script of the jjk chapter buuuttt decided to go off-script and see where it leads. Hope you like this update! Consider it a flavor for the upcoming appetizers before the main course!... unless Im lazy.
see ya! :D