Threads of infinity Shibuya (27)
big arc. we'll see if this ends up good or not!
The Shibuya Station hummed with cursed energy, an oppressive force so dense it pressed against the walls like an unseen tide. Flickering lights cast jagged shadows across the bloodstained floors, and the air carried the stench of fear, death, and curses. Amid the chaos, a young man strode through the carnage, his steps deliberate, his gaze unyielding.
Tsukasa entered the subway station without hesitation. His aura radiated a chilling calm, contrasting sharply with the panicked screams of civilians trapped in the cursed barriers. His eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the surroundings, zeroing in on the unmistakable presence of overwhelming cursed energy deep within the station.
Ahead, the scene was one of dread and awe. Gojo Satoru, the strongest sorcerer alive, stood frozen in the center of a widening void, his face expressionless but his cursed energy blazing like an unrelenting sun. Surrounding him were countless transfigured humans, grotesque masses of flesh and limbs contorted into abominations by Mahito's cursed techniques.
And at the heart of it all, standing opposite Gojo, was Kenjaku, masquerading in Geto Suguru's body. His presence oozed confidence, his voice calm and unsettling as he spoke to Gojo, the two locked in a moment that would define the chaos to come.
Tsukasa remained in the shadows, watching with keen interest. His sharp senses caught every word of their exchange—the subtle barbs, the manipulation, the unveiling of the Prison Realm. His icy blue eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the cursed object, its ancient and sinister power reverberating through the air.
"So this is how you plan to take him down," Tsukasa muttered under his breath, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
As Kenjaku activated the Prison Realm, Tsukasa felt the surge of cursed energy as it expanded, swallowing the space around Gojo. The strongest sorcerer didn't flinch, his expression unreadable as he analyzed the trap.
But Tsukasa saw it—the faint flicker of something behind Gojo's usually impenetrable calm. Surprise? Doubt? It didn't matter. For the first time in what seemed like forever, the invincible Gojo was cornered.
"Interesting," Tsukasa murmured, stepping closer, the soles of his shoes crunching against shattered glass and debris. He didn't care if Kenjaku or Gojo noticed his presence. In fact, he welcomed it. The weight of their power and their intent filled the air, and Tsukasa couldn't resist the pull of such a monumental moment.
Kenjaku's voice rang out, smooth and calculated, as the Prison Realm began to seal its target. "Satoru Gojo, you've become too much of a hindrance to the balance of this world. Rest now, and let the new era unfold."
Gojo's eyes narrowed, and for a split second, his cursed energy surged with such force that the station walls trembled. But the Prison Realm was unrelenting, its mechanisms ancient and absolute, designed to bind even the strongest.
Tsukasa stopped at the edge of the unfolding battle, his presence still cloaked but his cursed energy barely restrained. The sheer audacity of what was happening before him was almost amusing. To see Gojo trapped, stripped of his endless confidence, was a spectacle Tsukasa had not anticipated but thoroughly enjoyed.
"And so the king falls," he muttered, his tone laced with equal parts intrigue and disdain.
As the Prison Realm's final seal activated, Gojo's figure vanished, leaving behind only silence and the lingering weight of his cursed energy. Kenjaku turned away from the spot where Gojo had been, his expression calm, though his eyes flicked briefly to the shadows where Tsukasa stood.
For a moment, their gazes met, and though no words were exchanged, the weight of recognition passed between them. Kenjaku's lips curved into a faint smile before he turned to address his cursed spirit allies.
Tsukasa remained still, his mind racing. Gojo was gone, and the balance of power in the Jujutsu world had shifted. But Tsukasa had no intention of stepping aside as the new players vied for control.
With a quiet scoff, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the darkness of the subway tunnels. The Shibuya Incident was far from over, and Tsukasa intended to carve his own path through the chaos.
The chill of the October night wrapped around the streets outside Shibuya Station. The eerie quiet of the cursed veil's boundary blanketed the world, muffling the distant wails of civilians caught in the chaos. The glow of cursed energy faintly shimmered in the air, invisible to the untrained, but to Tsukasa, it was a blazing map of opportunity.
As he ascended the cracked stairs from the subway depths, Tsukasa sensed the gathering of power nearby—several sources of cursed energy, all restrained yet restless. Sorcerers, no doubt. The thought brought a flicker of amusement to his face. If they had gathered here, it was to retaliate against what was happening below.
Emerging onto the street, Tsukasa's gaze swept the scene. The once-bustling cityscape was reduced to a ghost town. The cursed veil stretched overhead, an ominous dome enclosing the station's epicenter. The air carried the acrid stench of destruction, mixed with faint traces of blood and despair.
His footsteps were soft but deliberate, the quiet thud of his boots punctuating the silence. As he rounded a corner, the energy signatures grew stronger, more distinct. A group of sorcerers stood at the edge of the veil, their backs turned to him as they conferred in hurried, hushed voices.
Among them was a tall woman with sharp eyes and short hair, her uniform identifying her as a jujutsu sorcerer of high rank. Next to her stood a younger man, likely in his early twenties, his fists clenched as he glanced toward the veil with frustration. Two others flanked them—one holding a staff, the other keeping their cursed energy suppressed but ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Tsukasa stopped just shy of their group, his presence subtle yet unmistakable. The air seemed to ripple as he let a faint trace of his cursed energy seep out, a deliberate signal that he was no ordinary passerby.
The younger man was the first to notice. He spun around, his eyes narrowing as he took in Tsukasa's figure. "Who—" he started, but the tall woman cut him off with a sharp gesture.
"Wait," she said, her gaze locking onto Tsukasa. Her eyes were calculating, her expression unreadable as she assessed him. "You're not one of ours."
Tsukasa tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "No, I'm not."
The sorcerers tensed, their cursed energy flaring as they prepared for the possibility of a fight. Tsukasa raised a hand, palm out, in mock reassurance.
"Relax," he said, his tone almost bored. "If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't be standing here talking."
The tension didn't ease, but the tall woman took a step forward, her expression hardening. "Then what do you want?"
Tsukasa's eyes flicked toward the veil, his gaze lingering on the cursed dome that loomed over Shibuya. "Curiosity, mostly," he said. "I felt something interesting happening down there, so I came to take a look." He shifted his gaze back to the group, his icy blue eyes sharp and piercing. "But it seems I've stumbled onto the welcoming committee instead."
"Interesting," the woman repeated, her voice flat. "You mean Gojo-sensei being sealed? Or the dozens of people dying down there?"
Tsukasa shrugged, the smirk returning. "A little of both, I suppose. Though I doubt Gojo would appreciate being reduced to just 'interesting.'"
The younger man stepped forward, his frustration bubbling over. "If you're not here to help, then get lost. We don't have time to deal with freeloaders."
Tsukasa turned his gaze to him, and for a moment, the smirk vanished, replaced by something colder, more dangerous. The young sorcerer froze, his breath catching as Tsukasa's cursed energy spiked—a sharp, suffocating wave that pressed against his chest like a vice.
"Careful," Tsukasa said softly, his tone deceptively calm. "You're not strong enough to make demands of me."
"Enough," the woman interjected, stepping between them. Her own cursed energy flared briefly, a controlled but firm assertion of authority. "We don't need to fight each other right now."
Tsukasa's gaze lingered on the younger man for a moment longer before he stepped back, his cursed energy receding. "Fair enough," he said, his smirk returning. "I'm not here to pick a fight. At least, not with you."
The woman studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Then why are you here?"
Tsukasa's eyes flicked back to the veil. "To see how this all plays out," he said simply. "And maybe... to decide whose side I'm on."
The group fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
The air outside the Shibuya station was electric with tension, the veil of cursed energy suffocating the atmosphere and thickening the darkness. Sorcerers moved through the area, their cursed energy like flares against the encroaching chaos. Tsukasa's steps were deliberate as he navigated the disarray. His senses were sharp, like a predator scanning the surroundings for both prey and potential threats.
Among the scattered figures, his attention was drawn to a familiar presence—a cursed energy signature he had felt before. Turning a corner, he found himself face to face with Megumi Fushiguro. The young sorcerer stood amid the wreckage, his breathing labored, a fresh wound marking his left shoulder. Despite the injury, his expression was steely, determined as ever.
Megumi's gaze snapped to Tsukasa, narrowing immediately. He tightened his grip on his sword, his stance shifting subtly into one of readiness. "You," he said, his voice steady but laced with mistrust. "What are you doing here?"
Tsukasa tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Megumi Fushiguro," he replied, his tone carrying an unsettling calm. "Always so quick to assume the worst. Shouldn't you be thanking me for not stepping on you yet?"
Megumi's brow furrowed, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, his cursed energy flared around him, shadowy tendrils beginning to stir at his feet. "I don't have time for games. If you're here to cause trouble, I'll stop you."
Tsukasa's smirk widened, though his posture remained nonchalant. "Stop me? You're bold. But I wonder, do you even know who you're dealing with?"
For a moment, there was only silence between them, the chaotic noise of the station fading into the background as their cursed energies crackled in the space. Megumi didn't back down, his focus unwavering. His Shadow Technique coiled around him like a living entity, waiting for his command.
Tsukasa, however, didn't seem fazed. He extended a hand lazily, palm up, and an orb of shimmering cursed energy began to form. It hummed with quiet intensity, the air around it distorting slightly. "You should save your strength," he said smoothly. "There are bigger problems here tonight than me."
Megumi didn't relax, his shadows twisting in defiance. "Then leave. We don't need you here."
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong," Tsukasa replied, his tone darkening. "What's coming will crush everyone in its path, sorcerers and curses alike. I'm not here to help you—I'm here to make sure I don't get caught in the crossfire of your incompetence."
The tension between them was palpable, but before either could make a move, a distant explosion rattled the ground beneath them, followed by the distinct roar of cursed energy clashing. Both turned toward the source of the disturbance, momentarily breaking the standoff.
Tsukasa stepped back, the orb of energy in his hand dissipating as he turned his attention to the chaos unfolding deeper within the veil. "Looks like your friends are in trouble," he said, his voice casual but laced with an edge. "Better get moving, Fushiguro. Wouldn't want to be the one left behind, would you?"
Without waiting for a response, Tsukasa turned and began walking away, his presence fading into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared. Megumi remained rooted in place for a moment, his grip on his sword tightening as he watched Tsukasa disappear.
"Stay out of my way," he muttered under his breath before turning to run toward the source of the explosion.
Tsukasa watched Megumi disappear into the chaos, his footsteps muffled by the thrum of cursed energy still lingering in the air. A smirk curled at the edge of his lips, but there was no satisfaction in it. The young sorcerer was predictable, his resolve a thin veil over his desperation. Tsukasa knew Megumi would be chasing the fight, seeking answers, just as he always did. But the truth was, Megumi was playing a game far beyond his reach.
The explosion had caught his attention for a reason. Tsukasa didn't need to rush; the real source of the disturbance was something far more significant, something that would demand the attention of everyone in Shibuya, if not the entire world of jujutsu sorcery.
He paused, turning his gaze toward the distant clash of cursed energy. The air was thick with power, not like anything he'd encountered in recent years. The feeling resonated within him—a challenge, a calling. He could sense it now, the build-up of cursed energy concentrated in one place. But there was something odd, something foreign that laced through the familiar waves of energy.
Tsukasa's eyes narrowed. It was a power he hadn't anticipated, but one he would gladly welcome into the chaos. The city was on the verge of something catastrophic, and if he wasn't careful, it could swallow him whole. But the prospect of the unknown, the uncertainty of the outcome, was far too tantalizing to ignore.
He moved with purpose, his form blending with the shadows as he threaded through the streets, following the pulse of cursed energy that seemed to call him forward. It was only a matter of time before the true battle began—and Tsukasa was eager to see who would stand when the dust settled.
Meanwhile, Megumi's pace quickened, his mind focused entirely on the explosion. He could feel the surge of cursed energy, and it wasn't just one person—there was a powerful collective force at work. Despite his wariness of Tsukasa, there was no time to dwell on the enigma of the older sorcerer. His comrades needed him.
The sounds of combat grew louder as he neared the source of the disturbance. The ground vibrated underfoot as cursed spirits clashed with sorcerers, the impact of each attack shattering the air with unrelenting force. Megumi's focus sharpened, his shadows twitching with anticipation as he prepared to dive into the fray.
But just as he turned the corner, a surge of energy cracked through the night—a new, overwhelming presence that forced him to pause. Something—or someone—was about to change the battlefield.
Tsukasa's voice echoed in the distance, though Megumi couldn't see him. "I told you there were bigger problems tonight. Hope you're ready, Fushiguro."
Megumi clenched his jaw and rushed forward, determined to face whatever threat loomed ahead. Tsukasa's presence was always a shadow, lingering just at the edge of every conflict. But Megumi knew that the real danger wasn't just him—it was the coming storm, and he had to prepare for what was to come.
Tsukasa's steps slowed as he approached the entrance to the subway station, the unmistakable clash of cursed energy drawing his attention like a moth to a flame. The vibrations in the ground beneath him told him everything he needed to know—this wasn't a skirmish. This was something far more dangerous, a battle between powers that could tear the station apart.
He slid through the door, his cursed energy swirling around him like a protective veil as he stepped into the dimly lit underground space. The air inside was thick with the scent of blood and the sharp tang of cursed power. As he descended deeper into the station, his sharp eyes locked onto the scene before him.
In the center of the platform, Yuuji Itadori was engaged in a brutal fight with Choso, their movements a blur of strikes and evasions. Yuuji's energy was wild, uncontained, a raw force of nature, while Choso's cursed energy radiated with deadly precision, each movement flowing with a calculated purpose.
Yuuji's fist connected with Choso's chest, sending a shockwave of cursed energy through the air. Choso staggered but quickly regained his footing, retaliating with a vicious swipe of his arm that forced Yuuji to duck under it. Tsukasa's eyes gleamed as he watched, entertained by the spectacle. The fight between them was intense, but something about it felt almost… unfinished. Like two forces in the midst of a larger, more complex dance.
Tsukasa's gaze shifted, sensing a subtle shift in the cursed energy around him. There was something different, something that didn't quite align with the usual flow of battle. A shadow was stirring beneath the surface—something dangerous, even more so than the two fighters before him.
Yuuji leaped back, narrowly avoiding a sweeping strike from Choso, and for the first time, his eyes darted toward Tsukasa, sensing his presence. For a moment, their gazes met, and Tsukasa's smirk widened.
"Ah, Itadori," Tsukasa's voice was smooth, like velvet wrapped around steel. "I didn't expect to find you here, of all places. This little reunion is quite a treat."
Yuuji's expression hardened, his focus shifting. "What are you doing here, Tsukasa?" he growled, his voice a mix of frustration and suspicion.
Choso, noticing the interruption, turned toward Tsukasa with a sharp glare. "Stay out of this, Tsukasa. This is none of your business."
Tsukasa chuckled softly, his amusement evident as he stepped further into the station. "None of my business?" he mused aloud. "I think you're mistaken. There's something bigger at play here, something you're both too blind to see."
The cursed energy around Tsukasa pulsed as he casually summoned a small orb of power, its presence a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding him. "You two may be fighting, but there's a storm coming—one that will swallow you both whole if you aren't careful."
He made no move to engage directly, watching as the two sorcerers glared at him, their attention split between him and the battle still raging. Tsukasa was content to let them fight, to let them waste their energy, because he knew that in the end, it would be his hand that shaped the course of this night.
Yuuji clenched his fists, not trusting the older sorcerer's words. "I don't have time for your games, Tsukasa. This fight's far from over."
Tsukasa's smile deepened, the faintest glimmer of menace in his eyes. "Oh, but that's where you're wrong. The game's already been decided. You just don't know it yet."
And with that, he stepped back into the shadows of the station, his presence lingering like a predator watching from the dark. The fight between Yuuji and Choso would continue, but Tsukasa was already focused on the bigger picture, the greater conflict that was about to unfold.
Tsukasa remained hidden in the shadows, his eyes locked on the chaotic scene unfolding in the subway station. His senses were sharpened, tracking every subtle shift in the air, every fluctuation in cursed energy as Yuuji and Choso clashed in a violent dance. It was like watching two forces of nature collide—one raw and unpredictable, the other calculated and deadly.
Yuuji lunged forward with a powerful right hook, his movements wild but filled with fierce intent. His cursed energy surged around him like an untamed beast, and Tsukasa couldn't help but appreciate the ferocity in his attacks. The sheer will to win was evident in every strike, the hunger in Yuuji's eyes unmistakable. But Tsukasa could also see his limitations. Yuuji was strong, yes, but he lacked control, and that would be his downfall against someone like Choso.
Choso, in contrast, moved with a terrifying grace. His cursed energy was like a steel trap—precise, deliberate, and unyielding. He effortlessly dodged Yuuji's punch and countered with a brutal swipe of his arm, sending a wave of cursed blood crashing into Yuuji's side. Tsukasa's lips curled into a smirk as he watched Yuuji stagger, only to push through the pain and retaliate with an instinctive counterattack. The young sorcerer's resilience was admirable, but he was clearly at a disadvantage in terms of experience and control.
Yuuji's cursed energy flared again, more volatile this time, his body practically vibrating with raw power. Tsukasa could feel the shift in the atmosphere, the heat of the battle intensifying as both fighters poured more of themselves into their respective techniques. Yuuji's punches grew more erratic, but they were also faster, stronger. It was a dangerous gamble—he was throwing everything he had into the fight, but without the finesse to back it up.
Choso, sensing the change, adjusted his approach. His own cursed energy coiled tighter, his movements even more deliberate. Tsukasa watched, fascinated, as Choso's cursed blood twisted into a series of spear-like tendrils, stabbing toward Yuuji with pinpoint accuracy. It was a lethal attack, but Yuuji reacted just in time, dodging with a narrow margin of safety.
The fight had reached a critical point now, and Tsukasa's eyes narrowed with interest. He could sense the building tension, the inevitable escalation. This wasn't just a battle of strength; it was a battle of wills. And Tsukasa knew that in situations like this, it wasn't the strongest who prevailed—it was the one who could adapt, who could wait for the right moment to strike.
Tsukasa's smirk widened as he felt the shift in the energy around him. There was more to this fight than just Yuuji and Choso. Something darker, something more dangerous was about to enter the fray.
His gaze flicked to the side, just as Yuuji and Choso exchanged a brutal, direct clash. The force of their combined cursed energy shook the very foundation of the station. Tsukasa could feel the tremor in his bones, but he didn't flinch. He was already thinking ahead.
"They're both playing into the chaos," Tsukasa muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the din of the battle. "But they're missing the bigger picture."
With a slow exhale, Tsukasa stepped out of the shadows, his presence barely a whisper against the roar of the fight. He didn't move toward the battle directly, but he began to circle the periphery, his eyes constantly scanning the movements of both Yuuji and Choso. He wasn't here to fight them—not yet, anyway—but to observe, to wait for the moment when his intervention would tip the scales.
He didn't need to act yet. Not until everything had played out. Tsukasa's eyes gleamed as he watched Yuuji and Choso, his expression unreadable. They were too focused on each other, too lost in their own struggle to realize that they were both playing a dangerous game. A game that Tsukasa already had control over.
"Let them fight. Let them waste their energy," Tsukasa whispered, his voice laced with a dangerous calm. "Soon enough, the real game will begin."
The fight between Yuuji and Choso reached a fever pitch, the air thick with the tension of two opposing forces locked in combat. Tsukasa continued to watch from the shadows, his cold, calculating gaze never leaving the scene. Every movement, every strike, every shift in cursed energy was playing out before him like a well-rehearsed performance—one that was nearing its climax.
Yuuji, despite his raw power and unrelenting spirit, was slowly being overwhelmed. His breathing came in ragged gasps as Choso pressed the advantage, his cursed blood turning into deadly tendrils that lashed out like whips. Each blow Choso landed sent shockwaves through Yuuji's body, his resilience starting to wear thin. The young sorcerer's movements grew slower, more erratic, as Choso's precision became overwhelming.
Choso's face remained stoic, his cursed energy swirling around him like an iron-clad shield. With each passing moment, he seemed to grow more and more comfortable, as if savoring the fight without ever truly expending his full strength. Yuuji, on the other hand, was running on fumes, his body battered and broken from the relentless assault.
With a decisive motion, Choso thrust his hand forward, sending a jagged spear of cursed blood directly at Yuuji. The attack was swift, and Yuuji barely managed to dodge, but it wasn't enough. A second spear followed almost immediately, catching Yuuji in the side and sending him sprawling to the ground, blood trickling from the wound. The force of the impact was enough to send him tumbling across the platform, unable to catch himself in time.
Yuuji gasped for breath, struggling to rise, but his body refused to respond. His vision blurred as his cursed energy flickered weakly around him, barely keeping him conscious. Choso walked toward him slowly, his eyes focused and unwavering.
Tsukasa observed quietly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. This was inevitable. Yuuji was outmatched, no matter how hard he fought. Choso had been toying with him, pushing him to the brink of collapse. But something about Choso's presence was different now—there was a certain restraint in the way he moved, a quiet understanding that this fight was over. The younger sorcerer was broken, and Choso knew it.
As Choso stood over Yuuji's crumpled form, he hesitated. For a moment, he seemed almost conflicted. The power to end this fight, to finish what he started, was within his grasp. Yuuji was at his mercy—his body bloodied, his spirit on the verge of breaking. Yet, Choso didn't strike the final blow.
Instead, he stepped back, his eyes narrowing as he took one last glance at Yuuji. "You're lucky," Choso muttered, his voice cold but not cruel. "You've got potential, Itadori. But not today."
With that, Choso turned away, his cursed energy dissipating around him like a storm passing. He walked away from the downed sorcerer without a second glance, his footsteps echoing in the hollow silence of the station. He didn't need to kill Yuuji—not yet. There was something more important at play here, and Yuuji was a pawn in a much bigger game.
Tsukasa watched as Choso disappeared into the shadows, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement. He had expected this. Choso was dangerous, yes, but he wasn't a murderer. Not unless he had a reason.
Yuuji lay there, battered and broken, his chest heaving with shallow breaths. He couldn't move. His body was spent, his mind foggy from the pain. He wanted to push himself up, to continue fighting, but the weight of exhaustion and the fear of death clung to him like a heavy fog. The fight had ended before he could ever truly win.
Tsukasa took a step forward, his voice cutting through the silence as he spoke to the fallen Yuuji. "You've been spared," he said, his tone almost playful. "But don't mistake that for mercy. This was Choso's decision, not out of kindness, but because he knows you aren't the real threat."
With that, Tsukasa turned away, his eyes briefly flickering toward the exit of the station. The game was far from over. There were bigger things on the horizon, and the pieces were moving into place. Yuuji might have survived this fight, but Tsukasa knew—no one was safe for long.